In a significant political development, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is reportedly re-establishing ties with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), the influential political consultancy that previously played a key role in his 2014 and 2019 election victories. This strategic move comes after the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) faced a major setback in the 2024 elections, where the party’s seat count plummeted from 151 to just 11.
I-PAC’s Initial Success and Setback in 2024
I-PAC, founded by political strategist Prashant Kishor, entered Andhra Pradesh politics in 2014, helping Jagan’s party secure a strong foothold. The firm’s influence peaked in 2019, with its strategic advice leading to YSRCP’s overwhelming victory. However, in the 2024 elections, despite significant changes in candidate selection and campaigning methods advised by I-PAC, the YSRCP suffered a major defeat, with Kishor distancing himself from the consultancy in the lead-up to the polls.
Despite these setbacks, Jagan appears to have renewed his confidence in I-PAC’s abilities, signaling that he is looking to rebuild his party’s political fortunes with their help for the upcoming 2029 elections.
Strategic Campaigning and Future Plans
I-PAC’s role has been pivotal in shaping campaign messaging and welfare schemes, such as the “Navaratnalu” initiative in 2019, which proved critical in securing electoral success for the YSRCP. Sources suggest that Jagan’s decision to re-engage I-PAC stems from the firm’s previous success in designing campaigns that resonate with the electorate.
I-PAC is expected to play a central role in designing new campaigns for the 2029 elections, including developing new welfare schemes and strategically targeting the coalition government’s failures. The consultancy is also expected to assist in candidate selection and field-level campaign operations to strengthen the party’s position ahead of the crucial elections.
Rebuilding Political Trust
Despite I-PAC’s involvement in the 2024 defeat, where its strategies were blamed for the party’s poor performance, Jagan seems committed to leveraging the consultancy’s expertise in future electoral battles. The consultancy’s success in states like West Bengal, where it helped the TMC secure a significant victory in 2021, adds to its credibility as a trusted partner for electoral success.
With 2029 in focus, Jagan’s re-engagement with I-PAC signals a crucial turning point as he aims to restore his party’s political fortunes and regain the confidence of voters, ultimately aiming for a second term as Chief Minister.