Prashant Kishor quits as Principal Advisor to Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

IPAC is the political research organisation founded by poll strategist Prashant Kishor (File image)

Political Strategist Prashant Kishor resigned from his position as Principal Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, months ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Kishor in his resignation to Singh said that he is yet to decide on his future course of action.

“As you are aware, in view of my decision to take a temporary break from an active role in public life, I have not been able to take over the responsibilities as your Principal Advisor. Since I am yet to decide on my future course of action, I write to request you to kindly relieve me from this responsibility,” Kishor said while thanking the Chief Minister for considering him for the position.

Singh had appointed Kishor as his principal advisor in March 2021, a year ahead of the 2022 assembly elections in the state.

Kishor's resignation is yet another indication of his transition from a political strategist and advisor to an active politician. The resignation comes at a time when there is speculation regarding his induction into the Congress party . Kishor is seeking a national role in the Congress party and reportedly wants to be part of a decision-making of the party affairs.

Kishor, founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC), was credited with planning and executing the Amarinder Singh-led Congress’ strategy in the 2017 elections, which the Congress won with a thumping majority, winning 77 of the 117 seats in the assembly.

Kishor has a number of successful election campaigns to his credit. These include the BJP's 2014 campaign, the Mahagathbandhan's campaign in Bihar in 2015, the 2017 Punjab campaign for Amarinder Singh, the 2019 Andhra Pradesh campaign for the YSRCP and the 2021 campaigns for the TMC in West Bengal and DMK in Tamil Nadu.