Poll strategist Prashant Kishor resigned today as Principal Advisor to Punjab CM Amarinder Singh ahead of the Punjab polls next year, pressing that he would “not be involved” in the 2022 state elections.

Prashant Kishor said he was taking “a temporary break from active role in public life” and added he has yet to decide on his next move, in a letter sent to CM Amarinder Singh.

“As you are aware, in view of my decision to take a temporary break from 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,” Mr Kishor said in the letter.

The move by Kishor is bound to disappoint CM Singh, who will contest in the Punjab polls in the middle of a fragile truce with his opponent Navjot Singh Sidhu. This move by Mr Kishor also signalled his focus on the 2024 election.

The strategist’s appointment was made by Amarinder Singh in March, when the Bengal poll was going on where Mr Kishor managed a harrowing Bengal campaign for Mamata Banerjee versus the BJP.

“Happy to share that Prashant Kishor has joined me as my principal advisor. Look forward to working together for the betterment of people of Punjab!” – Mr Singh, aka “Captain”, had tweeted.

According to sources, Mr Kishor says he never really took on the job.

The sources said, “There is no point getting involved in state elections when the entire focus is on 2024,” referring to the opposition’s moves to integrate ahead of the next general election.

He also met all the three Gandhis on the possibility of a more active role in the 2024 campaign, be it as an adviser or as a member of the Congress.