Congress has asked its strategist Sunil Kanugolu to focus on Haryana and Maharashtra for the forthcoming parliamentary elections likely to be held in April-May. Congress strategist Sunil Kanugolu after having been a part of Congress’ Task Force 2024 and given the responsibility of conducting surveys for the Lok Sabha elections has now been shifted to prepare for the party’s campaigns in Haryana and Maharashtra. Kanugolu’s surveys had led to the victory of Congress in assembly elections in Karnataka and Telangana. An AICC general secretary on the condition of anonymity said to The Sunday Guardian, “Sunil Kanugolu’s team had been conducting a survey to assess candidates across the country for the coming elections.
Sources say that some other constituents of I.N.D.I. Alliance is also conducting separate surveys regarding potential candidates. During seat sharing, Congress leadership may also use Kanugolu’s survey report as its basis to seek seats. His surveys according to party insiders will help the grand old party to assess the popularity and winnability of candidates.
Further, according to sources, his reports would help decide deserving candidates for the upcoming general elections. Moreover, Kanugolu’s reassignment is attributed to his existing teams in place in Haryana and Maharashtra, both of which are scheduled to vote for assembly elections as well within the next seven months. An analyst said, “In assembly elections, there were regional satraps in Congress who had superseding influence over Kanugolu and therefore he was not able to work upto his full potential. This time had been directly connected with central leadership and feeding them directly with necessary inputs.
His surveys had been instrumental for Congress in Karnataka and Telangana win. Moreover, it has to be seen as to how many seats would be given without considering his surveys.”
He added, “Apart from that, as he has been shifted to focus on two states which are set to go also for Assembly elections this year. Which also shows that Congress trust him and he can replicate the magic of Karnataka and Telangana win in Maharashtra and Haryana.”