Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kiran Kandolkar has accused political strategist Prashant Kishor of using the party to enter state elections to criticize the ANC leadership and create divisions in the vote that helped the Baratiya Janata Party (BJP) return to power last month. “I believe Kishor only came to Goa to oust Congress president Sonia Gandhi. We have realized that he has used Goa as an example. He came to make a statement that” If you do not bring me [to the ANC], I will ensure that your vote goes down to Goa, which he set as his main goal, “he said.
Kishor on Tuesday rejected an application to join Congress after being asked to join the Empowered Action Group in the 2024 elections following extended talks.
Kandolkar said opposition parties in Goa were divided and with 33% of the vote, BJP ruled. “You [Kishor] have come to prove … that if you think too little of me, the way I have confirmed your defeat in Goa, in the same way as at the national level, I will win you over.”
Kandolkar was elected the first head of the TMC before the Goa elections in February. He resigned on Wednesday blaming Kishor and the Indian Political Action Committee (PAC), set up by the strategists, for leaving Goa and leaving the regional branch of TMC with indebted debts of up to lakhs and no clear path forward. Kandolkar said they were tempted to join TMC with long promises and none of them were fulfilled. He said he hoped he would learn from this mistake. “When Kishor gave us political assurances that we would do this and do it for Goa, we were seduced … But as election day approaches and with eight days to go before the election, PK [Kishor] and the I-PAC. turn their backs on Goa. Any plans they had had failed miserably. He may be a national strategist, but in Goa, he has failed. ”
He said Kishor might say he has no affiliation with the I-PAC, which oversees the TMC campaign in Goa, but if so why is he having 17-18 meetings with him. “Each member met Kishor. We cannot all lie. In the end, he said he was not even in Goa and was here as a guest. These lies are now plaguing us with indiscriminate debt … Ever since I was president [of the region], people have been asking me to cancel their debts. Why should we suffer for their actions, and that is why we are resigning. ”
Kandolkar resignation is part of a series of exit from TMC in Goa. His wife, Kavita, who was also a candidate for the TMC election, resigned this week.
Kandolkar said he had nothing against the TMC leadership including West Bengal Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee. He blamed the I-PAC for the poor performance of the group. TMC contested 23 seats in partnership with MaharashtrawadiGomantak’s party but failed to secure a seat amid controversy.
TMC said it was in the process of re-establishing its state committee. “The newly formed interim committee will be announced soon. We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to serve the people of Goa and their well-being, ”TMC said in a statement.
There was no immediate response from Kishor or I-PAC.
READ ALSO : Indian stocks rise as Reliance reaches record high, Wipro gains
