 Summary of this article
- Yadav says if the SP wanted to work with a “winning agency”, there were several options.
- SP has previously been associated with political strategist Prashant Kishor.
- The ED recently raided I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in an alleged money-laundering case.
SP ends I-PAC tie-up ahead of 2027 UP polls, cites funding
The Samajwadi Party (SP) has ended its association with political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with party president Akhilesh Yadav citing lack of funds as the primary reason.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Yadav said the party could not continue the arrangement due to financial constraints. “Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding,” he said, according to PTI.
He also dismissed suggestions that the decision was linked to recent election outcomes. In a lighter remark, Yadav said that if the party wanted to work with a “winning agency”, there were several options, adding that some had suggested hiring multiple firms for surveys, social media work and other campaign-related activities. The SP had earlier engaged I-PAC as part of its preparations for the 2027 polls.
The consultancy has worked on election campaigns across states and has previously been associated with political strategist Prashant Kishor. However, separate reporting by The Indian Express has pointed to additional factors behind the decision, citing sources within the party.
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BY PTI
According to The Indian Express, the arrest of I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case raised concerns about the firm’s functioning at a key stage of election preparations. The report also said there were internal discussions within SP on the extent of reliance on an external consultancy. Some leaders favoured strengthening the party’s own organisational network and feedback systems rather than depending heavily on outside agencies, it said.
In addition, The Indian Express reported that recent election cycles in which I-PAC was involved, including in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, formed part of the party’s internal assessment. The report noted that perceptions around these campaigns contributed to a more cautious approach, though no official statement from SP has linked these factors directly to the decision.
Reportedly, I-PAC scaled down certain activities during the West Bengal campaign following investigative action, which raised concerns about continuity of work. There has been no detailed public statement from I-PAC on the development.
The SP’s decision comes as political parties begin early preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, where campaign planning and organisational strategy are expected to play a key role.
TMC Offers To Asorb I-PAC Staff As Consultant Pauses Bengal Poll Operations
BY Outlook News Desk |
