In the last couple of decades, political consultancy has seen a massive surge in popularity in India. With political parties, candidates, and other political leaders looking to triumph in Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, the role of political consultants has become increasingly significant. These consultants, with their strategic insight and innovative campaign strategies, have transformed the political landscape of the country. This article introduces you to the top 10 game-changing political consultants in India that you need to know in 2024.
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The Rise of Political Consultants in India
Political consulting in India has seen a significant rise in recent years. The industry has not looked back since the first political consultancy firm opened in India in 2007. The 2014 Lok Sabha elections marked a turning point in the use of political consulting in India. Prashant Kishor's Citizens for Accountable Governance, which led Narendra Modi's election campaign, popularised the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) image as a strong, development-focused leader who could replicate the 'Gujarat model' in the rest of the country. This marked the beginning of a new era in Indian politics, where political consultants played a pivotal role in shaping election outcomes.
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The Role of Political Consultants
Political consultants offer various services, including strategic planning, campaign management, communication and messaging, voter research and analysis, and digital marketing. They work closely with party leaders to understand their vision, requirements, and goals and develop a time-bound plan to achieve the set goals. They conduct precise surveys using technological advancements, manage communication through social media platforms and campaigns, digitize internal party management, and handle logistics. Political strategists and political consulting firms play a crucial role in ensuring that their clients maintain the best possible election strategy to guarantee victory in their political campaigns.
Top 10 Political Consultants in India
Many key individual players have a proven track record of providing a political edge to their clients. These skilled election strategists and their teams ensure that political parties deliver successful campaigns through political strategy, effective election management, election monitoring, and crucial election campaigning.
Prashant Kishor
Perhaps the most well-established name amongst political consultants in India, Kishor was the founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). Initially beginning as the Citizens for Accountable Governance, I-PAC has since gone on to become one of the biggest political consulting firms in India.
Furthermore, Prashant Kishor was one of the key influences in Modi's 2014 election campaigning and brought revolutionary change in the field of political consultancy services through his brilliant ideas, opinions, and methods that went on to inspire many other political consultants in India.
Kishor has worked with various political parties and leaders, such as Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh, Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, and Nitish Kumar in Bihar.
Sunil Kanugolu
Sunil Kanugolu is one of the most well-known election strategists and political consultants in India. He currently consults for the Indian National Congress (INC) and played a crucial role in the INC's recent wins in the Karnataka and Telangana state assembly elections.
Kanugolu was hired by Congress after their talks with Prashant Kishor fell through. He has previously worked with other major parties, such as AIADMK, DMK, and BJP. Kanugolu was also part of the 2014 team that spearheaded Modi's victory and worked closely with Prashant Kishor.
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Niranjan Ramesh Babu
Another ex-I-PAC employee, Niranjan Ramesh Babu, is a political consultant based in Chennai. He is the founder of the political consulting firm Political Analyst. Babu has years of experience in the field and has established a proven track record by working with many parties, candidates, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
Niranjan Babu and his dedicated team have worked in the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka state assembly elections and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are currently gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, he runs an online political leadership academy, which is India's first academy to train aspiring MPs and MLAs.
Rajat Sethi
Rajat Sethi is a Harvard and MIT alumni and an up-and-coming political consultant in India. After moving back to India after completing his education, Sethi joined the BJP as an analyst and consultant, playing a pivotal role in their success in various state elections. Sethi utilized social media platforms to the fullest to ensure victories in Assam and Manipur, and he is currently an advisor to the current Chief Minister of Manipur.
He has also authored two books, "The Battle of Saraighat" with his wife Shubhrastha and "The Story of the BJP's Rise in the North East".
Ankit Lal
Ankit Lal is a seasoned political campaign strategist and consultant renowned for his pioneering work in leveraging digital media for political engagement. Beginning as a social media activist in 2011, he quickly ascended to head the Social Media and IT wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), where he played a pivotal role from its inception in 2012 until mid-2020. During his tenure, Lal orchestrated digital campaigns for over 15 national, state, and municipal elections, contributing significantly to AAP's electoral success.
His book "India Social," published in 2017, sheds light on the intersection of digital technology and real-world discourse, offering insights into the impact of social media on Indian politics through case studies of 15 events or campaigns. Additionally, Lal is a columnist for NDTV, providing commentary on political and social issues, and has ventured into international consulting, advising political campaigns in countries like South Africa, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
Naresh Arora
Naresh Arora is a political consultant in India specialising in digital media and has worked for the Congress party in Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, and Assam state elections. Beginning his career as a social media activist, Arora started a digital marketing company named DesignBoxed. Owing to the company's success, Arora gained a name for himself in the digital marketing industry and delved into political digital marketing, management, and campaigning in 2017 with the Punjab state elections. Since then, he has established himself as a powerful player in the realm of social media management and strategy.
Arora currently works with the INC and is also a columnist at NDTV.
Kalyan Chandra
Kalyan Chandra is a versatile professional excelling in various fields, prominently in political consulting. His expertise spans psychology, startup mentorship, digital marketing, social media analysis, and corporate training. Specialising in election campaign management, Kalyan meticulously conducts competitive research, delving into public opinion, political landscapes, socio-economic changes, and media roles. He tailors comprehensive solutions for political campaigns and adeptly handles digital and social media management, particularly focusing on South India. He is the founder of Political Metrics Consulting Pvt Ltd., where he offers innovative, data-driven strategies, guiding politicians and parties to victory.
Vivek Singh Bagri
Vivek Singh Bagri is one of the leading political consultants in India and is the founder of Leadtech. Leadtech is regarded as one of the first political consulting firms in India, having begun operation in 2008. Bagri is regarded as one of the best consultants in India, and under his tutelage, his firm has established itself as a key player in the industry.
Based in Gurgaon, Haryana, Leadtech provides many services for prospective clients, from door-to-door data collection and marketing to researching exit polls and opinion polls. The company prides itself in its data-driven approach and currently works with clients in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
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Atul Malikram
Atul Malikram is one of the few political consultants in India who specialises in PR consultancy. Starting his career as a Public Relations professional, Malikram founded a PR consultancy firm, "PR 24x7", in 2006. He specialises in navigating the landscape of Indian politics, particularly in Hindi-speaking states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh.
With his deep understanding of the Indian political system and a track record of accurate predictions, Atul provides expert guidance to political parties and candidates aiming to make an impact. Beyond politics, Atul is also an accomplished author and philanthropist dedicated to making positive changes in his community. His wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of Indian politics make him a trusted resource for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of the political sphere.
Sharaschandra Shankar
Sharaschandra Shankar is the founder and CEO of Rajneethi Consulting, a firm based out of Bengaluru. Under his leadership, Rajneethi has established itself as one of India's leading political management consultants. They offer tech-enabled strategic solutions for political parties and politicians across India and specialise in constituency profiling, campaign management, policy making, and manifesto creation, among many others. Over the last 8 years, Shankar has worked with several MLAs, MPs, parties, and candidates across India and other Asian countries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the emergence of political consultancy in India has revolutionised electoral strategies, with consultants playing a pivotal role in shaping campaign narratives and leveraging digital platforms. The top political consultants in India have demonstrated exceptional expertise, employing innovative techniques and data-driven approaches to navigate the intricacies of Indian politics. Their contributions have not only influenced election outcomes but have also propelled political parties and candidates toward success. As India's political landscape continues to evolve, the expertise and guidance provided by these consultants remain indispensable in ensuring effective campaign management and electoral triumphs.
FAQS
Who is the most famous election strategist in India?
Prashant Kishor, also known as PK, is arguably the most famous political consultant in India.
Who is a political strategist?
A political strategist or consultant is a professional who guides political parties and candidates in developing effective campaign strategies to win elections. They analyse political landscapes and voter behaviour to craft messaging, target voters, and manage media relations, playing a vital role in shaping electoral outcomes.
What is the salary of a political consultant in India?
According to several sources, the salary for political consultants ranges between ₹3.2 lakhs to ₹15.0 lakhs, with the mean being close to 8.5-9 lakh rupees. However, many top political consultants can charge much more, depending on their expertise, demand and influence.
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