According to sources, the meeting lasted about two hours, although both parties have attempted to downplay its importance, referring to it as a regular interaction.
This meeting takes place in light of a significant electoral defeat for Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party. The party competed for 238 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections yet did not win any constituencies, with 236 candidates losing their security deposits. The Congress Party also had a poor performance, securing only six out of the 61 seats it contested.
Kishor’s meeting with Priyanka Gandhi raises questions about a possible shift in political strategy, especially given his previous distance from the Congress during the Bihar campaign.
Previous connections and fallout with Congress
Kishor’s relationship with the Congress leadership traces back to 2021, following his departure from the Janata Dal (United). In April 2022, he presented an in-depth revival plan to the Congress leadership during a meeting at Sonia Gandhi’s residence, attended by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
At that time, Kishor was offered a position in the party’s proposed “Empowered Action Group,” which he declined, stating that the Congress needed structural reforms and decisive leadership rather than limited organizational roles. This disagreement led to their separation, with Kishor later becoming a vocal critic of the party.
Throughout the Bihar election campaign, Kishor distanced himself from the Congress and dismissed concerns raised by Rahul Gandhi, including allegations of “vote theft” and issues pertaining to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Political dialogue remains a possibility
Nevertheless, the post-election meeting with Priyanka Gandhi implies that lines of communication are still open. An Indian Express report, citing sources, indicated that the discussions centered around Bihar politics, the Opposition’s strategy, and future political possibilities. However, it remains uncertain if these talks could lead to any formal collaboration.
At present, both the Congress and Kishor’s camp assert that the meeting was just a courtesy call. Yet, following the disappointing electoral results in Bihar, this interaction has fueled speculation regarding Kishor’s potential reassessment of his political options.
