Sunil Kanugolu, Key To Congress Telangana Win, Not Part of 2024 Planning

Earlier part of the Congress' 'Task Force 2024', Sunil Kanugolu will now focus on prepping the party's Haryana and Maharashtra campaigns, sources close to him told NDTV Friday.

Sunil Kanugolu - the strategist credited with orchestrating the Congress' wins in Karnataka and Telangana - will not be part of its campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Earlier part of the Congress' 'Task Force 2024', he will now focus on prepping the party's Haryana and Maharashtra campaigns, sources close to him told NDTV Friday.

Mr Kanugolu's redeployment has been attributed to the fact he already has teams in place in those two states - both of which will vote within seven months - and to a Congress keen to build on last year's victories in the Karnataka and Telangana Assembly elections, recording big wins over the ruling BJP and BRS, respectively. 

However, news the Congress' key poll tactician will not be on hand to guide the party in the April/May national election has raised eyebrows. A senior leader, holding the rank of General Secretary, acknowledged his absence on the Lok Sabha campaign is a "slight setback", but told NDTV the Congress believes there is greater long-term benefit if he can use his 'Midas touch', to win key states from the BJP.