The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the principal Opposition party in Andhra Pradesh headed by former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, is likely to rope in political strategist Kapil Sahu as a key campaign strategist for the 2029 general elections, people familiar with the development said.
His innovative campaign strategy and designing Jagan’s padayatra helped the YSRCP come to power in Andhra Pradesh with a resounding victory, winning 151 of the 175 Assembly seats in the State. After Kishor moved away from the party, I-PAC was taken over by Rishiraj Singh, who continued the association with Jagan for the 2024 Assembly elections. The possible induction of Sahu is now being viewed within the party as another attempt to strengthen its campaign machinery and develop a long-term political strategy ahead of 2029.
Sahu, a former associate of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) founder-director Prashant Kishor, is credited with playing an important role in the campaign strategy of Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and helping him come to power in the recent Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. “In fact, Jagan has held discussions, not only with Sahu, but a few other political strategists who approached him. He has not finalised anyone yet. “His association with Vijay’s TVK brought him greater attention in political strategy circles. Singh and his team were engaged in overseeing the functioning of the State administration, especially the village and ward secretariat systems. There were allegations within the party that Singh had virtually dominated its organisational functioning and even played a key role in the selection of candidates.
But he was very much impressed by the preliminary presentation given by Sahu, but has not disclosed his mind yet,” the party functionary said. Sahu’s team worked on digital outreach, campaign messaging and public engagement initiatives aimed at expanding Vijay’s appeal among different sections of voters,” the YSRCP leader quoted above said.
