<p><strong>Kolkata: </strong>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.</p> <p>Kishor, the man behind the TMC&rsquo;s electoral victory despite stiff challenge from a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, said that he had been &ldquo;thinking of quitting for too long and was looking for an opportunity&rdquo;.</p> <p>&ldquo;I have been thinking of quitting for too long and was looking for an opportunity, Bengal gave me that chance,&rdquo; he told an English news channel in an exclusive conversation.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>[tw]https://twitter.com/PrashantKishor/status/1340882902628749317?s=20[/tw]</p> <p><strong>READ:</strong> <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/33bs8ag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Assembly Election Live Results 2021: Mamata Set For Third Term, LDF Breaks 40 Yr Jinx In Kerala, BJP Sweeps Assam</a></strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>Kishor had also criticized the Election Commission over its blatantly partial approach to favour the BJP in West Bengal.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>The poll strategist&rsquo;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.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/elections/prashant-kishor-retires-from-election-management-1456483