News for 'Prashant Kishor'

'Nitish Kumar may switch sides after Bihar elections'

'Nitish Kumar may switch sides after Bihar elections'

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has predicted that JD(U) president Nitish Kumar will contest the upcoming assembly polls in Bihar in alliance with the BJP but may switch sides later, with hopes for another term as the chief minister. Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, also asserted that Kumar's popularity has declined and he is unlikely to win a fifth consecutive term. He challenged the BJP to declare Kumar as the chief ministerial candidate, arguing that they would struggle to win seats if they did so. Kishor also criticized Kumar's leadership, accusing him of being "physically tired and mentally retired" and of "bringing disrepute to Bihar" by touching Prime Minister Narendra Modi's feet. He said his new party will enter the fray to pull Bihar "out of the political rut" and that the state's much-touted prohibition policy is an example of the BJP's duplicity.

Vijay Or EPS: Who Will Fill Anti-DMK Space?

Vijay Or EPS: Who Will Fill Anti-DMK Space?

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

The two weeks that EPS took fending off the Sengottaiyan rebellion has since become lost time for the AIADMK as that was also the time Vijay took to go all-out against Stalin and the DMK, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

No dispute, Tejashwi is the CM face: Kanhaiya Kumar

No dispute, Tejashwi is the CM face: Kanhaiya Kumar

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

There is no confusion or dispute in the 'Mahagathbandhan' over Tejashwi Yadav being the main face for the Bihar chief minister's post, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar said on Friday while asserting that the CM will be from the Rashtriya Janata Dal if the alliance gets a majority in the upcoming polls.

Bihar's Liquor Ban Faces Heat Ahead Of Elections

Bihar's Liquor Ban Faces Heat Ahead Of Elections

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

As the election nears, political positions on prohibition are shifting.

'If Nitish is palturam, Modi-Shah are no different'

'If Nitish is palturam, Modi-Shah are no different'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2024

'Nitish Kumar's newly-formed alliance with BJP would unravel before the 2025 assembly polls in Bihar'

Most Cong leaders favour Kishor's entry, Sonia to take final call

Most Cong leaders favour Kishor's entry, Sonia to take final call

Rediff.com22 Apr 2022

Amid a series of deliberations over a strategy for upcoming general and assembly elections by poll strategist Prashant Kishor, a group of senior leaders of the Congress has given its recommendations to party president Sonia Gandhi and left it to her to take a call on them and initiate organisational changes.

NCP rejects reports of Sharad Pawar being candidate for Prez poll

NCP rejects reports of Sharad Pawar being candidate for Prez poll

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

Malik said that there has been no such talk in the party or with other parties.

Patidar leader Naresh Patel keeps everyone guessing about his political moves

Patidar leader Naresh Patel keeps everyone guessing about his political moves

Rediff.com27 Apr 2022

Influential Patidar leader Naresh Patel, who heads the Shree Khodaldham Temple Trust, on Wednesday claimed that though the older generation is against him joining politics, youth and women want him to take the route.

HDFC Bank to pursue legal remedies against Mehta family of Lilavati Trust

HDFC Bank to pursue legal remedies against Mehta family of Lilavati Trust

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

HDFC Bank on Sunday said that it will "pursue all lawful remedies" to recover public funds and address the retaliatory actions taken by the Mehta family of the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical (LKMM) Trust, which has filed a complaint against the bank's managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO) Sashidhar Jagdishan alleging financial fraud.

Can Mamata block BJP's advance again in 2026 Bengal polls?

Can Mamata block BJP's advance again in 2026 Bengal polls?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has set an ambitious goal of winning over 215 seats in the 2026 state assembly elections, aiming to secure a fourth consecutive term for the Trinamool Congress (TMC). She declared that the party will work to significantly reduce the BJP's tally and ensure that their candidates struggle to retain their deposits. The TMC's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, echoed this sentiment, urging party workers to ensure a decisive victory and achieve a two-thirds majority in the upcoming polls. The BJP, however, dismissed the TMC's claims, stating that Banerjee is merely trying to boost morale among party workers.

Nitish rubbishes former advisor PK's rating of his govt's performance

Nitish rubbishes former advisor PK's rating of his govt's performance

Rediff.com6 May 2022

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday asserted that he attached 'no importance'to his administration's uncharitable assessment by Prashant Kishor.

Will Nitish Dump BJP Again?

Will Nitish Dump BJP Again?

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

'Nitish Kumar may take a decision to dump the BJP alliance by November.'

No leadership role for me, more of a sutradhar: PK on his political plans

No leadership role for me, more of a sutradhar: PK on his political plans

Rediff.com15 Sep 2022

Election strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor on Thursday claimed to have told Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that the state's much-touted liquor prohibition drive has been a "complete failure", and in need of a "review".

Victims of Pegasus spyware to depose before Bengal panel from Dec 13

Victims of Pegasus spyware to depose before Bengal panel from Dec 13

Rediff.com2 Dec 2021

Deposition of persons claiming to be 'directly affected' by alleged phone-tapping using Pegasus software will commence from December 13 before a two-man commission of inquiry set up by the Mamata Banerjee government, one of its constituents Justice (retd) Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya said on Thursday.

Nitish says 'all is well' amid Kishor-BJP spat

Nitish says 'all is well' amid Kishor-BJP spat

Rediff.com31 Dec 2019

Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United president Nitish Kumar on Tuesday asserted that "all is well" in the National Democratic Alliance even as his party vice president Prashant Kishor opened a front against Bharatiya Janata Party leader and his deputy in the government Sushil Kumar Modi.

'They started Opposition unity much too late'

'They started Opposition unity much too late'

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

'They were as late as June 2023 and they did not follow it up with concrete measures immediately in terms of a secretariat or common minimum programme, working group or seat sharing etc.' 'They continued to have periodic meetings after a gap of weeks where they had tasty dinner and coffee, but beside that they did nothing else.'

Expelled JD-U leader Pavan Varma meets Nitish, PK's return on agenda?

Expelled JD-U leader Pavan Varma meets Nitish, PK's return on agenda?

Rediff.com13 Sep 2022

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seems intent on mending fences with estranged former colleagues as part of the spadework for posing a credible challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party's national hegemony.

Shashi Ruia, co-founder of Essar group, passes away

Shashi Ruia, co-founder of Essar group, passes away

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia has died after a prolonged illness. He was 80.

107 Bengal MLAs to join BJP 'very soon': Mukul Roy

107 Bengal MLAs to join BJP 'very soon': Mukul Roy

Rediff.com13 Jul 2019

Roy's comments comes amid several TMC councillors returning to the party after switching to the BJP.

The man who is fixing Congress' public connect

The man who is fixing Congress' public connect

Rediff.com29 Mar 2016

Prashant Kishor, the man who led Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar to victory, has his task cut out for him as he tries to secure victory for the Congress in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh

Bypoll boost for NDA in Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya; jolt in Bengal

Bypoll boost for NDA in Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya; jolt in Bengal

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

The juggernaut of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, which triumphed in three of the four east and north-eastern states that went for assembly bypolls on Saturday, was halted yet again in West Bengal where Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress registered a six-on-six clean sweep.

Ever Seen Shivraj Chouhan Batting?

Ever Seen Shivraj Chouhan Batting?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

What some of our leaders were up to on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

TRAGICOMEDY In The Congress

TRAGICOMEDY In The Congress

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

'An old party like the Congress cannot rely solely on the prescriptions of a 'Doctor' whose motives and intentions are still unknown and that he does not look attached towards any party or ideology,' point out Sunil Gatade and Venkatesh Kesari.

Can Kejriwal Make It Three In A Row?

Can Kejriwal Make It Three In A Row?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The BJP may win more seats in the February 5 assembly election, but not enough to trump AAP, notes Ramesh Menon.

'We Are Walking For Jobs'

'We Are Walking For Jobs'

Rediff.com4 Oct 2022

Glimpses from the day in politics...

'Main bahut roya' when Kishore Kumar died

'Main bahut roya' when Kishore Kumar died

Rediff.com4 Aug 2021

'Kishoreda was very close to our family and offered a lot of support.'

After Nath, Gehlot rebuff, this strategist guided Congress to Telangana win

After Nath, Gehlot rebuff, this strategist guided Congress to Telangana win

Rediff.com3 Dec 2023

Kanugolu had also made forays in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh following a directive from the party's central leadership but regional satraps Ashok Gehlot and Kamal Nath reportedly were not on the same page as the poll strategist.

If I tell you everything....: Mamata on race for PM's post in 2024

If I tell you everything....: Mamata on race for PM's post in 2024

Rediff.com29 Oct 2021

'Why don't you contest the election for PM's post. You are media, you can also contest'

Rahul ropes in master strategist to get rid of '3M's in UP 2017

Rahul ropes in master strategist to get rid of '3M's in UP 2017

Rediff.com2 Mar 2016

Political strategist Prashant Kishor, who played a key role in victories of Narendra Modi-led BJP in general elections and the Janata Dal-United-Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress alliance in Bihar, on Wednesday attended a meeting with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to craft the party's strategy for Uttar Pradesh polls.

'Sonia, Kharge, Rahul Have A Chalta Hai Attitude'

'Sonia, Kharge, Rahul Have A Chalta Hai Attitude'

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

'There is some deep rot that has set in the Congress party. This requires an organisational surgery.'

TMC draws a blank in Goa polls

TMC draws a blank in Goa polls

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), which contested the Goa Assembly elections for the first time this year, failed to make a mark in the coastal state.

To tackle BJP, Mamata unveils 'Didi ke Bolo' campaign

To tackle BJP, Mamata unveils 'Didi ke Bolo' campaign

Rediff.com29 Jul 2019

A senior TMC MLA said Banerjee told her party leaders during the closed-door meeting that they should shun "VIP culture".

CWC to meet on May 9 ahead of Udaipur Chintan Shivir to chalk out agenda

CWC to meet on May 9 ahead of Udaipur Chintan Shivir to chalk out agenda

Rediff.com6 May 2022

Senior Congress leaders Venugopal, Ajay Maken and Ashok Gehlot had on Wednesday took stock of the preparations for the Chintan Shivir.

Modi set to return with 350-400 seats, say exit polls

Modi set to return with 350-400 seats, say exit polls

Rediff.com2 Jun 2024

Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls.

Sena slams Mamata's 'no UPA' remark, bats for Oppn with Cong

Sena slams Mamata's 'no UPA' remark, bats for Oppn with Cong

Rediff.com4 Dec 2021

The Sena's remarks come in the wake of Mamata Banerjee's recent visit to Mumbai, in which she made a cryptic statement that 'there is no UPA now'.

LS polls: Can BJP emerge as an alternative to DMK, AIADMK in TN?

LS polls: Can BJP emerge as an alternative to DMK, AIADMK in TN?

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

The BJP, which has allied with a few smaller parties, has sought to upend the state's conventional politics, which has so far been indifferent to Hindutva politics, by taking the ruling DMK head-on for its alleged insult of Sanatan Dharma besides involvement in corruption.

Ranji Trophy: Mumbai pile misery on Meghalaya

Ranji Trophy: Mumbai pile misery on Meghalaya

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

A summary of Friday's action in the Ranji Trophy matches across the country.

Opposition leaders to converge at Pawar's home on Tuesday

Opposition leaders to converge at Pawar's home on Tuesday

Rediff.com21 Jun 2021

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Monday met political strategist Prashant Kishor in New Delhi and will host a meeting of leaders from several parties and eminent personalities on Tuesday to discuss the current scenario in the country, his party said and asserted that the Maratha strongman is working to unite the Opposition.

Sunil Kanugolu: Congress' Mr Strategy

Sunil Kanugolu: Congress' Mr Strategy

Rediff.com9 Jan 2024

From all indications, Sunil Kanugolu is here to stay, though whether his magic will help the Congress in the northern states in the Lok Sabha elections remains to be seen, wonders Aditi Phadnis.

'Rahul Gandhi Has No Idea How To Resurrect Congress'

'Rahul Gandhi Has No Idea How To Resurrect Congress'

Rediff.com3 May 2024

'Rahul Gandhi never gets firsthand information. He does not know what is good or bad going on in the party.'