Most people, including politicians and their parties, tend to think of Prashant Kishor Pandey, 42, as a master election strategist. In reality, he is only a businessman, who understands the math and science behind elections, and has some insights on how to win in a scientific manner. In 2013, Kishor launched the Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG), a company to manage and strategise elections, which offers its services for a hefty price. In the past, he helped Narendra Modi in Gujarat (which was pro bono), Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Jaganmohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh, Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi, and Amarinder Singh in Punjab. They were claimed to be huge successes by the politicians, as well as the media. At present, Kishor is busy advising Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, and MK Stalin of DMK in Tamil Nadu for their 2021 assembly election campaigns. When he offered his services in Punjab, tensions brewed between the future Chief Minister Amrinder Singh and the Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi. The latter wanted to tour constituencies before the election, and his schedule was planned. Amrinder was in a fix because he was told by his loyalists that Rahul’s visit could cost him possible victories in those constituencies. It was Kishor who found an acceptable solution. Rahul went to the areas, where Congress’ chances of victory were almost zero. Ironically, Kishor may be hired by the Congress before the 2024 Parliamentary elections. But, master election strategist is also rumoured to be in touch with Modi. G
