1.SONIA GANDHI, 62, CONGRESS PRESIDENT
THE SUPREME HANDSonia GandhiBecause she is the most powerful player in the world’s biggest democracy and it is she who runs the Government, as was obvious when the Cabinet announced a fuel price cut two days after she hinted at it during a Rae Bareli rally in January.
2.RAHUL GANDHI, 38, CONGRESS GENERAL SECRETARY
CROWNED PRINCERahul GandhiBecause he will one day be the Congress party’s candidate for prime minister—it is for him to decide when—and the Congress president takes no decision without him.
3.MANMOHAN SINGH 76, PRIME MINISTER
SECOND TO ONEManmohan SinghBecause he believed in the Indo-US nuclear deal and staked his Government on it, winning the trust vote.
Because the professorial economist turned out to be the most pragmatic politician of all, wooing persona non grata Amar Singh to support the UPA after the Left withdrew support over the nuclear deal.
Because while the rest of the Congress wants Rahul Gandhi to be the prime minister, Rahul wants Manmohan.
4.LAL KRISHNA ADVANI, 81, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
THE RIGHT CHOICEL. K. AdvaniBecause he controls nine NDA chief ministers and six other allies.
Because he is the NDA’S prime ministerial candidate and the RSS that once forced him to step down, now consults him routinely.
Because when he calls a meeting to discuss the economy, all corporate honchos, from Mukesh and Anil Ambani to Ratan Tata, attend.
5.PRANAB MUKHERJEE, 73, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FINANCE MINISTER
MAN FOR ALL REASONSPranab MukherjeeBecause he is the UPA’s Mr Fix-It-All, chairing Cabinet meetings in the prime minister’s absence, presiding over 60 Groups of Ministers, heading the Congress manifesto committee, and acting as the first port of call in case of trouble for both the prime minister and Congress president.
Because he is the key communicator with unpredictable allies like the Samajwadi Party and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.
6.SHARAD PAWAR, 68, AGRICULTURE MINISTER
GRAND MARATHASharad PawarBecause he has emerged as a potential prime ministerial candidate without throwing his hat in the ring and has supporters both within the Government and the Opposition even though he has only nine MPs.
Because he is one of Manmohan Singh’s chief troubleshooters, helping him build consensus with allies on issues such as the nuclear deal.
Because he can take credit for a record foodgrain production of over 230 million tonnes and of 28 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
Because by 2010, he will become the king of cricket when he takes over as president of the ICC.
7.MAYAWATI, 53, CHIEF MINISTER, UTTAR PRADESH
CASTE IRONMayawatiBecause she is a serious contender for the prime ministership after E-2009, emerging as the new political nucleus for an anti-Congress as well as anti-BJP front with the Left’s support, and may win over 40 Lok Sabha seats this time even though her party won only 19 in the last elections.
8.NARENDRA MODI, 58, CHIEF MINISTER, GUJARAT
THE ROLLER COASTERNarendra ModiBecause he will be the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate one day, having become the party’s star campaigner and mascot for its pin-up issue, the anti-terror plank.
Because not just the BJP but even India Inc wants him as the prime minister.
Because even L.K. Advani needs his help to become the prime minister.
9.AHMED PATEL, 59, POLITICAL ADVISER TO THE CONGRESS CHIEF
BACKROOM BOYAhmed PatelBecause he is the one man whose advice Congress President Sonia Gandhi trusts implicitly and is politically savvy enough to keep a firm footing on the slippery grounds of coterie politics.
Because he is the brain behind every political deal struck by the Congress, from cobbling the UPA to winning the trust vote.
10.LALU PRASAD YADAV, 60, RAILWAYS MINISTER
RIGHT ON TRACKLalu Prasad YadavBecause he is at the helm of affairs of the most successful ministry in the UPA Government, leaving the Railways with its highest ever cash surplus of Rs 90,000 crore.
Because even though he is at a political crossroads in Bihar and may not be able to better his current record of 24 MPs in the next elections, he will still be Sonia Gandhi’s first choice as an ally.
Because he never fails to captivate, whether he is in a village in Bihar or on YouTube.
