1 : Rahul Gandhi, 39
Congress General Secretary
Why
He topped the power list last year. He’s at the head of the power list this year as well because, even more than one year back, after the Congress’s big general election win, what he says hugely influences political discourse, and what he wants and doesn’t want will determine how the ruling party will look in the near future. His ability to talk straighter than most Indian politicians, including those from his party, on subjects like money in politics and family in politics has added to his profile.
If the Congress is a viable player in UP and sees hope in the rest of the Hindi heartland, his worst critic cannot but credit him. He’s comfortable with talking positively about reforms and growth, and has quiet influence on policy.
Power punch
He was instrumental in the Congress going into the 2009 elections without Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Yadav. The strategy paid off. He’s bringing some democracy into the Congress. His demand for a Bundelkhand Development Authority has added a new dimension to the politics of development.
What next
His next big test is Bihar elections. After that, his future plans. Whatever he decides, it is likely to be the biggest decision in Indian politics that time.
2 : Manmohan Singh, 77
Prime Minister
Why
Why does he move one position up from last year’s list? Because the mid-2009 election victory was a mandate, among a few other things, for Dr Singh. His authority in the party and the government is of a different and higher order than it was in the first term. He can claim credit for the economy having survived the Great Global Recession with relatively lesser pain. He can claim credit for power diplomacy after 26/11, that included his refusal to bow to hawks inside and outside the government. He stood up for the now famous Sharm-el-Sheikh joint statement with Pakistan.
Power punch
This is Dr Singh’s government in many more ways than UPA-I was. Non-performing ministerial assets were dropped. Pesky allies were stood down. And radical changes were determinedly and often cleverly implemented, for example, on climate change negotiations.
What next
His PMO team revamped, expect some out-of-the-box foreign/strategic policy shifts. Should we also expect some economic reforms? That’s the great big question facing the doctor’s prime ministership now.
3 : Sonia Gandhi, 63
Congress President
Why
Why has she dropped one rank? Because the No. 2 in our list this year is stronger and she wanted it that way, and because she wants No. 1 in our list to be more prominent. So she’s No. 3 more or less because her bets on others have succeeded or look like they will succeed. Of course, those who are courting the Congress know she’s the one to appeal to. Look at Lalu Yadav, for example. She and PM have as close a policy-political relationship as they shared in UPA-I. There’s a core group for crucial decisions. But the most sensitive ones are often decided by these two.
Power punch
When Congress spokespersons looked hesitant after the Sharm-el-Sheikh controversy, she came out in the PM’s support and the party found a voice. The BJP dared the Congress to name a PM candidate before the May 2009 elections. She chose the manifesto release function to name Dr Singh.
What next
The safest political prediction is that she will be reelected Congress President next July. It will be her twelfth consecutive year in the post. She looks good for many years. But Rahul looks like he’s finished his apprenticeship and is ready for bigger things. How that is going to work out is the big question.
4 : P Chidambaram 64
Union Home Minister’
Why
He jumps five ranks because he’s probably been the most consistently big-thinking minister in this cabinet. Whether on moving the intelligence establishment out of its comfort zone, or talking straight and tough on Naxalites, or asking for a complete rehaul of his own ministry, the home minister has left few in doubt about two things. 1. He dislikes status quo. 2. He’s the boss of his big remit. Under him, Home is once again the second most powerful office after the PMO.
Power punch
He gave a speech last December on restructuring internal security. Note that the new NSA doesn’t have internal security duties, which have been restored to Home.
What next
His deadline for setting up a National Counter Terrorism Centre is end-2010. Also
5 : Pranab Mukherjee, 74
Union Finance Minister
Why
That his rank is the same in our power list this year is quite appropriate for this veteran: many things change, but his huge influence doesn’t. Recently, PM postponed a 7 p.m. meeting on price rise at his residence for the next day because Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was to visit Mukherjee’s residence at 6.15 p.m., got delayed by over an hour. Though he sent word that they should proceed without him, the PM thought it fit to reschedule the meet.
Power punch
He is the only minister in the cabinet who commands sufficient clout to openly admonish or disapprove of the functioning of colleagues, be it A Raja, Shashi Tharoor, S.M. Krishna or Sushil Kumar Shinde.
What next
Controlling the deficit and starting some reforms.
6 : Mohan Rao Bhagwat, 58
RSS Sarsanghchalak
Why
He cruises up the power list this year, achieving the biggest jump, because he’s got the RSS back as the director of BJP affairs. He singlehandedly forced the BJP to usher in a leadership change. He has wrenched control of the BJP back from the party leadership. Time will tell whether this has furthered the cause of the RSS and BJP. But his hugely increased clout has been established beyond doubt.
Power punch
He banished former Sarsanghchalak K S Sudarshan to Bhopal when he found his predecessor was coming in the way of his effective working. Once he turned to the BJP, he said no Delhi-based leader would do as party chief.
What next
He has put his own credibility at stake by picking Nitin Gadkari. His success or failure would be judged by Gadkari’s performance.
7 : Nitin Gadkari, 53
BJP president
Why
He makes his debut because he’s chief of the main Opposition party. But he gets in so high because he has a full mandate from the RSS. He is far more powerful than former BJP presidents like Kushabhau Thakre, Venkaiah Naidu and K Jana Krishnamurthi, who had to work under the shadow of Vajpayee and Advani. Given the emphasis on “new faces,” he has the opportunity to make radical changes in the party set-up and phase out the deadwood.
Power punch
He resolved the Rajasthan BJP crisis at a seven-hour marathon meeting by making squabbling state party factions agree to a truce. He has put an age ceiling of 55 for key office-bearers.
What next
He has to create a strong team. He has to tour the country and be careful of hangers-on from his homestate who can insulate him from the party.
8 : Mamata Banerjee, 55
Rail Minister
Why
A nearly 20-place jump in our power list from last year, she’s proof of what being on the right side of coalition politics and the possibility of a history-making electoral victory (in Bengal) can do to your national profile. The second-largest UPA-II coalition partner, she’s both a key Congress ally and a reminder to the ruling party that though the Left is left by the wayside now, there’s plenty of Left-like politics to reckon with. Her use of the railways remit as a power base-enhancer in Bengal is unapologetic. Congress needs her. Congress is wary of her.
Power punch
She gets away with not just blocking big ticket legislative changes like land acquisition but also not attending cabinet meetings.
What next
Can she become CM material? Will she spend more time in Delhi? How will she deal with Maoists?
9 : Narendra Modi, 59
Chief Minister of Gujarat
Why
He comes up one slot because even with a new RSS-backed BJP chief, his importance has increased in a party that needs morale boosting. When Mohan Bhagwat proposed the name of Nitin Gadkari as party chief, L K Advani reportedly proposed Narendra Modi. He remains the first among all the BJP CMs. Not the least because Gujarat’s growth story remains undimmed.
Power punch
The one man in the BJP now who can potentially argue confidently with Mohan Bhagwat, with whom he was similarly positioned in the RSS hierarchy. The RSS may not like him. But they never underestimate him. In the new BJP, that will be a crucial element.
What next
He believes the key to his success is the improvisation quotient in his ‘Gujarat model’. He’s concentrating on the Gujarat Swarnim Jayanti.
10 : Ahmed Patel, 60
Political secretary to Congress President
Why
Sonia Gandhi’s trusted lieutenant moves up because he was a key planner and executioner of the party’s electoral strategy last year. Though not known to be get involved in government’s affairs unless asked to, he plays an important role in decision-making at core group meetings. His job also involves cleaning up the mess created by tricky political decisions.
Power punch
After the PM picked 20 Cabinet ministers, he was left to address the rest — balancing factors like caste, religion and regional representation and addressing individual aspirations and egos. He successfully dealt with an ambitious and assertive ally like the NCP.
What next
He’s proved his mettle and more with Sonia, but what happens as and when Rahul comes to the fore, that’s the big question. His plus: intense loyalty to the family.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-most-powerful-indians-in-2010-no.-110/576096/5