Kolkata: With West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) all set to return for a third consecutive term in office, political strategist Prashant Kishor on Sunday announced his retirement from election management.
Kishor, the man behind the TMC’s electoral victory despite stiff challenge from a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, said that he had been “thinking of quitting for too long and was looking for an opportunity”.
“I have been thinking of quitting for too long and was looking for an opportunity, Bengal gave me that chance,” he told an English news channel in an exclusive conversation.
Kishor, who had earlier expressed confidence of the TMC winning West Bengal, said then that he would quit if the BJP crossed the 100-seat mark in the assembly polls.
He had also come down heavily on the BJP for attempting to build up a massive propaganda that they were all set to conquer the throne of Kolkata.
Kishor had also criticized the Election Commission over its blatantly partial approach to favour the BJP in West Bengal.
"From allowing use of religion by BJP to scheduling poll and bending rules, EC did everything to aid saffron party. EC has been working like extension of BJP," he added.
The poll strategist’s decision comes as the TMC is so far leading in 207 seats with the BJP trailing with 82 seats as counting of votes for 294 seats is underway.