By C Subramanyam
In a surprising move, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed political strategist Sunil Kanugolu as the chief of the party’s war room for the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra in 2024. Kanugolu, who is credited with orchestrating Congress’ victories in Karnataka and Telangana in the 2023, will now be tasked with reviving the party’s fortunes in the two crucial states.
Kanugolu, a former journalist and a data analyst, has been working with the Congress since 2022, when he was roped in by the party’s general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to handle the campaign in Karnataka. He devised a strategy that focused on micro-targeting voters based on their caste, region, and issues, and mobilizing them through social media and grassroots workers.
He also helped the party forge a successful alliance with the JD(S), which gave it an edge over the BJP in the closely fought election. Kanugolu replicated his success in Telangana, where he managed to revive the Congress’ presence in the state that was dominated by the TRS.
He crafted a narrative that highlighted the failures of the KCR government on various fronts, such as unemployment, farmer distress, corruption, etc. He also forged a coalition with the CPI, and other smaller parties, and gave a tough fight to the TRS in the urban and rural areas.
Kanugolu’s appointment as the war room chief for Haryana and Maharashtra is seen as a sign of the AICC’s recognition of his skills and achievements, and its willingness to experiment with new faces and ideas. Kanugolu will have to face several challenges in these states, such as the anti-incumbency factor, the factionalism within the party, the popularity of the BJP leaders, and the changing voter preferences.
However, he is confident that he can repeat his magic in these states as well, and help the Congress regain its lost ground. He expressed his grattitude to the AICC for giving him this opportunity and responsibility. He assured to work hard to ensure that the Congress emerges victorious in Haryana and Maharashtra.
“I have a team of dedicated and talented professionals who will assist me in this mission. We will use data, technology, and innovation to reach out to the voters and convince them that the Congress is the best choice for them,” he added.
Kanugolu’s rise in the Congress ranks has also sparked speculation about his future role in the party and his ambitions. Some sources say that he is eyeing a bigger role in the national politics, and may even contest the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
Others say that he is happy to remain a backroom strategist and help the party win more states. Whatever his plans are, one thing is clear: Kanugolu is the man to watch out for in the Indian political scenario.
