Prashant Kishor to be chief architect of secular parties' 'Mahagathbandhan' against BJP in Uttar Pradesh?

New Delhi: Noted election strategist Prashant Kishor, who has been hired by the Congress party to design its campaign for the upcoming assembly polls, is most likely to be the chief architect of a grand alliance or 'mahagathbandhan' of secular parties in Uttar Pradesh where elections are likely to be held early next year.

Kishor's presence in a meeting between Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav and JD (U)’s KC Tyagi has triggered speculations that the acclaimed campaign manager is being roped in to stitch a  grand alliance of “secular” parties against BJP in the Uttar Pradesh.

It was also reported that Shivpal after meeting KC Tyagi yesterday also went to meet JD (U)’s Sharad Yadav.

He is alos reported to have had a telephone conversation with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD supremo Lalu Yadav and RLD leader Ajit Singh, fuelling speculations of a grand alliance in UP .

Shivpal's meeting and reported discussions with like-minded political leaders outside Lucknow where he is engaged in a bitter power struggle with his chief minister and nephew Akhilesh Yadav has surprised everyone.

Tyagi, who hosted the Shivpal-Kishor meeting, didn’t elaborate on what all transpired except that it was all about SP completing 25 years.

“Shivpal Yadav’s visit was about the silver jubilee celebrations of the SP slated for November 5. All those who believe in the ideals of Ram Manohar Lohia and Charan Singh have been invited,” he said.

The Bihar 'Mahagathbandhan' comprising JDU, RJD and Congress had emphatically trounced the BJP in the assembly elections held last year. Ironically, the SP under Mulayam Singh had pulled out of the alliance at the last moment after being an active participant in the initial stages.

Kishore, who began his political career as a strategist for then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, had shifted base to the Nitish Kumar camp before the Bihar elections.

A JD (U) leader said he expected Kishore to initiate talks with the Congress leadership for a grand alliance.