In India, thousands of political consulting firms offer a comprehensive range of services to political candidates and parties, encompassing strategic planning, campaign management, communication and messaging, voter research and analysis, and digital marketing. Gaining popularity mainly in the last two decades, these firms have collaborated closely with top politicians to assist them in winning elections and shaping public opinion. Despite new entrants joining this cut-throat sector daily, only 3 have been able to constructively contribute towards reshaping the political landscape of India, listed below.
1. LeadTech
Leadtech Founder Vivek Singh Bagri (R) with Rajya Sabha MP Arun Singh (L)
Leadtech, India’s first political strategy and consulting firm led by Vivek Singh Bagri, was established in 2008. The firm specializes in creating ground intelligence, identifying and grooming candidates, conducting qualitative research, and building winning narratives using cutting-edge technologies. The firm works for both individual candidates, ranging from MLAs to MPs, as well as whole parties and states, ranging from Chief Ministers to National Leaders. With a growing market need, the company has rolled out several standardized innovative campaign offerings, and additionally set up a separate media and public relations department, focusing solely on the requirements of politicians. It also strives towards bringing back data authenticity and confidentiality into politics, utilizing in-house developed mobile applications and tools like geotagging. Headquartered in Gurugram, Leadtech now also has a presence in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The company has worked in 20 state elections with over 1500 clients. Leadtech is expected to bag the contracts of at least 100 Members of Parliament for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
2. I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee):
IPAC Founder Prashant Kishor (R) with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (L)
I-PAC is a political consultancy firm founded by Prashant Kishor in 2013. This firm specializes in complete election management of state elections, and unlike Leadtech, does not work with individual politicians. IPAC has many public success stories that have made headlines in recent years, from Modi’s 2014 election campaign to INC’s 2017 Punjab campaign, to AAP’s 2020 Delhi campaign. I-PAC provides end-to-end solutions for political campaigns, from research and analysis to execution and monitoring. Its data-driven approach and focus on grassroots outreach have helped it make a significant impact on the political landscape of India. However, IPAC works exclusively and is not a viable choice for NDA-aligned parties or individual candidates belonging to major parties like BJP and INC.
3. Mindshare Analytics
Mindshare Analytics Founder Sunil Kanugolu
Mindshare Analytics is a political consulting firm founded in 2014 by Sunil Kanugolu, a former associate of Prashant Kishor. While previously having worked with DMK and BJP, the firm is presently aligned with the Indian National Congress. The founder and company often shy away from media attention. It has led the Congress campaigns in the states of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. The company was also responsible for organizing and implementing the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The founder, described as a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi, has a lot of impact on the internal functioning of Congress as well as the party’s performance in recent polls. Like IPAC, Mindshare also works exclusively, but for INC, and is not open to taking on clients from other parties.
Conclusion
The field of political consulting in India is evolving rapidly with the emergence of new players armed with technology and data-driven strategies. These consultancies are playing an instrumental role in shaping the electoral landscape and helping political parties and candidates win elections. Leadtech, I-PAC, and Mindshare Analytics are three of the most prominent firms in this space, each bringing unique skills and expertise to the table. As the country gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, it will be interesting to see how these consultancies leverage technology and innovation to create winning campaigns for their clients.