SH KAPADIA, 63
Chief justice of India
Why
He is number one on the list because as CJI he represents the Supreme Court’s power. At a time when so much of politics is being determined by judicial pronouncements — and even observations — related to headline-grabbing court cases, the number one judge and the court he runs have become the country’s most influential arbiter. His and his court’s decisions can determine how government and politics are affected by the 2G scandal, or whether the CVC, PJ Thomas, will go and take a big chunk of UPA credibility with him. The SC will also take significant decisions on the privacy vs public interest debate and perhaps on industrial projects vs environment laws too. The apex court has never been as hugely crucial in determining policy and politics as in recent times. Therefore, a CJI has never been as powerful as he is now.
Power Punch
He took less than a minute to decide, after hearing lengthy arguments, that the Allahabad High Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya title suit must be pronounced; threats of violence could not be an excuse.
What Next
Court business-wise, his word on the CVC will be the first of many big judicial calls this year. Administration-wise, he is keen to provide decent infrastructure to the lowest courts.
By the way
He once refused an invitation to open a judicial conference abroad because the event fell on a working day.
Sonia Gandhi, 64
Congress President
Why
She goes up one place in the list despite the Congress-led government’s many troubles because with the PM looking less than effective, the party leader’s job has become even more crucial, not the least in terms of keeping critics of the PM at bay. She prevailed upon the DMK to remove A Raja. The National Advisory Council (NAC), under her leadership, remains an important pressure group.
Power Punch
She took tough calls on sacking Congress notables embroiled in controversies, Shashi Tharoor and Ashok Chavan being the prime examples, and challenged the BJP to take similar action against its leaders accused of corruption.
What Next
Nothing less than the immediate future of the Congress. Elected, inevitably, as Congress president again, and the term extended from three to five years, she will lead the party beyond the 2014 elections.
By the way
She often uses SMS to keep in touch with senior party leaders and ministers.
Manmohan Singh, 78
Prime Minister
Why
The PM drops down one place after convincingly winning a second term because the government has looked indecisive and riddled with internal fights. The economy has held up, but most of what he wanted to do continues to be in the pending tray. The NAC frequently questions the government and there appear to be question marks over his authority in the Cabinet. He’s held his nerve, given the circumstances, but insiders feel the pressure might tell. Still, he remains the Congress’s best bet as the government’s face to the country and the world.
Power Punch
His foreign policy credentials keep growing — in a span of three months last year, leaders of all the P-5 countries visited India. That’s a first for an Indian PM.
What Next
Crisis management, definitely, one part of which will be an effective Cabinet reshuffle. Also, economic policy is in drift and needs the attention of the “original economic reformer”.
By the way
There’s a special bed for him aboard Air India One but he never uses it. Insists on half-an-hour on the treadmill, no matter where he is.
Sushma Swaraj, 59
Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
Why
She’s number four on the list and up 14 places from last year because, as the BJP has become a vocal and determined critic of the UPA government, she has become its most prominent and influential voice. The BJP is being seen as led by a politician who has a political base and a strong parliamentary presence. She has been able to work with all Opposition parties, and has put the government more frequently on the defensive than her predecessor did. She also has the job of increasing the party’s influence in key southern states.
Power Punch
She fiercely opposed UPA’s CVC nominee, PJ Thomas, and is seen now as having taken an astute stand.
What Next
Her immediate challenge is the BJP’s strategy in the Budget session. Another session lost will not go down well, but she needs to bring the BJP back in the House in a way that doesn’t look like a climbdown.
By the way
A Krishna devotee, her take on life and politics is that whatever happens is Krishna kripa and Krishna ichchha.
Rahul Gandhi, 40
Congress General Secretary
Why
He falls from number one to five, not just because of the Bihar verdict. Some of his “new” ideas, for example, democratising the Youth Congress, have been at least partly subverted by old-style Congress politics. Also, his stand on many critical issues remains unclear and he has been notably absent from the political fray as the Congress faced serial troubles recently.
Power Punch
At the height of the Kashmir agitation, when Omar Abdullah’s abilities were being questioned, his statement in Kolkata that the J&K CM needed time ended speculation about the Congress’s stand on Abdullah.
What Next
He has plenty to do, given the gap now between promise and performance, but most crucially he needs to spend 2011 preparing for the UP elections in 2012.
By the way
Watch him at interactions; whenever he rolls up his kurta sleeves, he’s about to make an emphatic point.
Nitish Kumar, 59
Bihar Chief Minister
Why
Bihar’s big yes to him for a second term and what that has done for his stature in national politics are reasons why he climbs 23 places in the list. He’s now credited with having demonstrated that Rahul Gandhi can be electorally out-manoeuvered, that Bihar can vote for good governance and, to the BJP, that moderation is the key to poll success. He’s made the best case for cash transfer as an effective welfare scheme.
Power Punch
He broke ranks with the so-called social justice leaders like Lalu and Mulayam Yadav and also with his party colleague, Sharad Yadav, and instructed his MPs in the Rajya Sabha to vote for the Women’s Bill.
What Next
Meeting Bihar’s big expectations from him, especially in generating industrial employment. A proposed power plant is already embroiled in a land acquisition controversy.
By the way
Loves south Indian food, especially dosas.
Mamata Banerjee, 56
Railways Minister
Why
She was in the top 10 last year and is up one place this year because she is expected to deliver the biggest blow the Left has suffered in 30-plus years. The favourite to win Bengal elections this year, she has made clear that she will not only bargain hard with her ally, the Congress, but also oppose it when local politics dictates such a strategy: for example, her public opposition to the fuel price hike. The Congress is careful in dealing with her, including when it comes to her lack of attention to her ministerial remit.
Power Punch
She has maintained a deliberately ambiguous strategy vis-a-vis Naxalites, despite the Centre’s actions against them, and in spite of and because it makes the CPM furious.
What Next
Winning Bengal and running it well; she will be really tested on the second bit.
By the way
She doodles during parliamentary debates, drawing caricatures of fellow MPs.
P Chidambaram, 65
Union Home Minister
Why
As he went about putting the country’s security apparatus in order in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes, the Home Minister was the final authority on internal security. In the last year, that authority seems to have weakened a bit. Some of his favourite projects, like establishment of NATGRID and a counter-terrorism centre, have faced resistance from his Cabinet colleagues. His Naxal policy has come under attack from within the Congress. Those are the reasons for his sliding down the list.
Power Punch
As J&K slipped into a spiral of violence last year, he admonished CM Omar Abdullah for failing to take control. He kept up pressure on Pakistan for providing access to 26/11 terror suspects.
What Next
How he deals with Naxalite groups will determine his success as Home Minister and his influence in the party and the government.
By the way
He makes it a point to return home for lunch every day.
Mukesh Ambani, 53
Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries
Why
With a personal wealth of $29 billion, he is Asia’s richest and the world\'s fourth richest person. He comfortably steered his flagship Reliance Industries, the most valued Indian company, acquired shale gas assets in the US and scored a major victory in the gas dispute case against younger brother Anil Ambani. All that is why he goes up in the list.
Power Punch
He managed to scrap the non-compete clause with brother Anil, enabling him to enter sectors like telecom and financial services.
What Next
Further acquisitions in the oil and gas segment abroad. The settlement of the gas supply case will enable him to proceed smoothly with gas allocation.
By the way
He watches up to three films a week on his home theatre system.
Pranab Mukherjee, 75
Union Finance Minister
Why
He slips in ranking in part because the government, of which he is such a crucial member, looks weakened. His influence inside the government is as big as it was. But there are questions now about economic management: can he control deficits, can any reform be done?
Power Punch
Barring one or two ministers, almost everyone in the Union Cabinet is mortally scared to speak openly before him, for fear of committing a faux pas. His fantastic memory and ability to recall the tiniest detail give him the authority.
What Next
The Budget, with deficit control being the prime test, and the Bengal elections. And is he the Congress’s presidential candidate for 2012?
By the way
Choice of beverage when he’s working late nights: Darjeeling tea.
source: Indian Express
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