The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the main Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, is set to hire political strategist Kapil Sahu for the upcoming 2029 general elections. This move, confirmed by sources close to the party, highlights YSRCP’s strategic preparations under the leadership of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“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. “In the absence of a strong advisor, Jagan is often seen with confusing and conflicting statements of late.
Because he lacked direction and vision to combat the NDA government, political analyst Ramu Suravajjula said Jagan definitely needed a political strategist to come back to power. 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. Despite creating a massive hype for the YSRCP, Singh failed to repeat the magic of 2019, and the party faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government, winning just 11 seats.
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. “Even after the defeat, Singh’s I-PAC continued to be associated with the YSRCP for a few months, before Jagan terminated the contract,” the party leader quoted above said. Keeping the favourable conditions Jagan has now, engaging a strategist is a good idea in the right direction, he said. A strategist would help him in many ways, provided he listens to the ideas and follows them,” Suravajjula said.
A senior YSRCP functionary, who refused to be quoted, said Jagan had held preliminary discussions with Sahu a few weeks ago on working out the strategy for the next elections in Andhra Pradesh.
