Consultants direct political parties in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: Political image consultants have become the major new trend among the state’s principal political parties as they gear up for the forthcoming general elections of 2019. While the ruling Telugu Desam (TD) has engaged Group M, the YSR Congress (YSRC) has entrusted its strategies and poll management activities to the Prashant Kishore team, and Janasena has engaged Rajasthan-based political strategist Dev as its consultant. 

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has engaged Group M principally to add value to existing government publicity campaigns regarding welfare schemes, and to enhance the government’s image. 

This is the first time that either the government or the Opposition is using consultants for elections, in the newly formed Andhra Pradesh.

Already, the choice of consultants has become contentious. Taking to Twitter, Guntur MP Galla Jayadev has posted, ‘Jagan-Pawan’ plot unfolding…Jagan/Modi-Shah strategist Prashant Kishore sends his shishya Dev as political strategist to Pawan.” 

Netizen questioned Galla on why Parakala Prabhakar, husband of Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is continuing as the AP government’s chief advisor.

Meanwhile, the selection of Group M doesn’t seem to have delivered the results expected by Naidu, since the visibility of the welfare schemes is not very encouraging across media platforms, including social media. 

Group M has suggested press meets and media interactions by ministers at frequent intervals, highlighting the achievements of their departments. The proposal, submitted to the government a fortnight ago, has reportedly not been very well received by the departments. 

A senior TD leader said Naidu remains the most recognisable brand ambassador for government welfare schemes.

By contrast, YSRC leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy's strategic political comments on various issues are seen to be the outcome of Prashant Kishore’s advice. 

For Pawan Kalyan, too, Dev and his 1,200-member team have made their presence felt, already identifying candidates for some constituencies. Dev's team will make a survey of major issues in important constituencies and submit reports to the party chief to apprise him of developments in those constituencies.