Prashant Kishor Gets Cabinet Rank In Punjab Govt; Akali Dal Says Amarinder Singh 'Rubbed Salt On Wounds’

Rhapsodic about the decision to appoint Kishor as his principal advisor, the Chief Minister said that he was looking forward to working with the former “for the betterment of the people of Punjab”.

Chief Minister’s Office too confirmed Kishor’s appointment and said that he would be paid Re 1 per month as token honorarium (Getty Images)

With all eyes set on remaining in office in Punjab, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has appointed election strategist and Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) founder Prashant Kishor as his principal advisor ahead of next year’s assembly polls.

Rhapsodic about the decision to appoint Kishor as his principal advisor, the Chief Minister said that he was looking forward to working with the former “for the betterment of the people of Punjab”.

“Happy to share that @PrashantKishor has joined me as my Principal Advisor. Look forward to working together for the betterment of the people of Punjab!” he wrote on Twitter.

Happy to share that @PrashantKishor has joined me as my Principal Advisor. Look forward to working together for the betterment of the people of Punjab!

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 1, 2021

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The Chief Minister’s Office too confirmed Kishor’s appointment and said that he would be paid Re 1 per month as token honorarium but will be entitled to a government residence and half a dozen staff members. Besides, he will be also be eligible for transport, telephone and medical facilities as entitled to a cabinet minister.

“#PunjabCabinet clears the appointment of Shri @PrashantKishor as Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh in the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister,” the Chief Minister’s Office wrote on Twitter.

#PunjabCabinet clears the appointment of Shri @PrashantKishor as Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh in the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister. pic.twitter.com/h7bTK9qKdD

— CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) March 1, 2021

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The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) hit out at the Congress while reacting to the appointment and said the Chief Minister has “rubbed salt on the wounds of Punjabis”.

“CM @capt_amarinder has rubbed salt on the wounds of Punjabis by appointing @PrashantKishor as his principal advisor. What hurts more is that the CM is making merry with the announcement & stating he was looking forward to working with Kishore for the betterment of the Punjab,” tweeted SAD leader Bikram Majithia.

CM @capt_amarinder has rubbed salt on the wounds of Punjabis by appointing @PrashantKishor as his principal advisor. What hurts more is that the CM is making merry with the announcement & stating he was looking forward to working with Kishore for the betterment of the Punjab. pic.twitter.com/B6B9qOFwdg

— Bikram Majithia (@bsmajithia) March 1, 2021

Majithia further said the people of Punjab will not fall for the Congress “deceitful tricks again”.

“Punjabis are upto their necks with Cong's stunts & will not fall for their deceitful tricks again. Kishore should take his fake interactions like ‘Chai pe Charcha’ & ‘Coffee with Captain’ elsewhere, as Pbis want a ‘hisab’ of promises he made at Capt Amarinder’s instance in 2017,” he said in a series of tweets.

Punjabis are upto their necks with Cong's stunts & will not fall for their deceitful tricks again. Kishore should take his fake interactions like ‘Chai pe Charcha’ & ‘Coffee with Captain’ elsewhere, as Pbis want a ‘hisab’ of promises he made at Capt Amarinder’s instance in 2017.

— Bikram Majithia (@bsmajithia) March 1, 2021

Kishor was earlier in 2017 credited with planning and executing the Congress’ strategy in the Punjab assembly elections. The Congress under Amarinder Singh’s leadership regained power in Punjab with absolute majority, winning 77 of the 117 seats.