At the India Today Conclave, prominent political consultants from across the nation shared
their perspectives on the growing significance of strategists in elections and the intricate
aspects of campaign management.
“Only confident politicians are open to listening to others, and I’ve had the privilege of
working with some of them, including Ajit Pawar,” remarked Naresh Arora, Co-Founder of
Design Boxed, a political management firm responsible for handling the Nationalist Congress
Party’s (NCP) election campaigns under Ajit Pawar’s leadership.
During the session titled ‘The Art & Science of Winning Elections’, Arora praised Ajit Pawar’s
clarity in identifying challenges and finding solutions. “Throughout my career, I have rarely
faced difficulties in conveying my ideas,” Arora added.
When asked about his involvement in reshaping Ajit Pawar’s public image, Arora
commented, “The smile you now see on his face is likely one that has been hidden for the
past three decades. Ajit Pawar is spearheading Maharashtra’s flagship initiative, the
‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana’, which aims to fulfill the aspirations of around 20
million women across the state.”
Rishi Raj Singh, Co-Founder and Director of I-PAC, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing
the indispensable role of political consultants. “Politicians are highly intelligent and know
exactly who to listen to and when. While consultants may not be the sole factor behind a
party’s victory, they are undeniably crucial. No party can succeed without their input,” Singh
stated. I-PAC manages the political campaign for Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress
(TMC).
Robbin Sharrma, Founder and Director of Showtime Consulting, explained how consulting
firms operate, saying, “We are not the driving force behind the campaign; rather, we are a
small but essential part of the system. The leader is the horse pulling the cart, and we provide
the structure and unbiased feedback.” Showtime Consulting managed the campaign for
Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the recent Andhra Pradesh Assembly
elections.
Addressing the competitive nature of the consulting industry, Sharrma clarified that firms do
not see each other as competitors. “Our industry is quite small. We don’t compete against one
another but rather work towards the success of our clients, regardless of the opposition,” he
said.
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