Politics – Samajwadi Party Reconsiders I-PAC Tie-Up Before Uttar Pradesh Elections

Politics – The Samajwadi Party is believed to have stepped back from its proposed collaboration with political consultancy agency I-PAC ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The development comes amid mounting controversies surrounding the consultancy firm and changing political circumstances after recent state election outcomes.

SP Leadership Yet to Finalise Formal Agreement

According to sources familiar with the matter, talks between the Samajwadi Party and the Indian Political Action Committee had progressed significantly over the past few months. I-PAC had reportedly shared a detailed campaign strategy and election management presentation with the party leadership. However, despite several rounds of discussion, no official agreement was signed between the two sides.

People aware of the internal discussions indicated that Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav was never fully convinced about bringing the consultancy firm on board. Reports suggest he reviewed the proposal mainly after recommendations linked to leaders associated with the Trinamool Congress.

Developments Around I-PAC Influence Decision

The decision to pause further engagement reportedly gained momentum after recent events involving I-PAC. The consultancy firm has been under increased scrutiny following the Enforcement Directorate’s action against its director Vinesh Chandel in connection with alleged financial irregularities tied to the Bengal coal smuggling investigation.

At the same time, political observers have also pointed to the Trinamool Congress’s electoral setbacks in West Bengal as another factor that may have influenced the Samajwadi Party’s thinking. I-PAC has been associated with the Trinamool Congress’s campaign operations since 2019 and played a key role in its political messaging during several elections.

Sources claimed that the consultancy group is currently dealing with operational and legal challenges, making it difficult for the organisation to take up new political assignments in the near future.

ED Action During Bengal Election Campaign

During the recently concluded election campaign period in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the I-PAC office in Kolkata. The action triggered a political confrontation between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the central agency.

The developments placed the consultancy firm under intense public and political attention at a time when it was exploring possible partnerships with parties outside West Bengal.

I-PAC’s Political Background and Leadership

I-PAC was originally established by political strategist Prashant Kishor, who became widely known for managing several major election campaigns across the country. Over the years, the organisation worked with prominent political leaders and parties, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in 2017, and the Trinamool Congress leadership in West Bengal.

Prashant Kishor later exited the organisation to enter active politics through his Jan Suraj Party in Bihar. However, the party was unable to secure electoral success in its first Assembly election appearance.

At present, I-PAC is led by Pratik Jain, who oversees the organisation’s political consulting operations. Despite its earlier reputation for handling large-scale election campaigns, the consultancy now faces uncertainty as political parties appear cautious about entering new associations with the firm.