The most powerful Indians in 2011: No. 31-40

WHY

This erstwhile relative political lightweight makes it to the list for the first time,and that too pretty high up,because his influence in the party and the government has increased greatly. The Congress big three — Sonia,Manmohan and Rahul — all take him seriously. He took on Jairam Ramesh on the issue of trade relations with China. For the recent Congress plenary session,he was appointed chairman of a committee that drafted the foreign affairs resolution; Pranab Mukherjee was a member of that committee.

POWER PUNCH

He,along with Mukherjee,had a key role in drafting the Congress’s authorised history. That’s a big sign of the party leadership’s confidence in him.

WHAT NEXT

A leading candidate in the very short list of probables who will get a more high-profile role in the Cabinet in the post-Budget reshuffle.

BY THE WAY

Loves his morning walk and is a regular at Delhi’s Lodhi Garden.

32. Amar Pratap Singh,58

CBI Director

WHY

He is the first CBI director on our list. And he comes in high on the list because since his appointment in November 2010,this 1974-batch IPS officer,known both for his integrity and work ethic,has been trying to restore CBI’s credibility. Plus,the agency is now investigating a number of high-profile and sensitive cases: CWG and 2G corruption and the banks’ cash-for-loan scam.

POWER PUNCH

He took the call to close the Arushi murder case. Lambasted by the media for that decision,he stuck to his view that it was better to admit failure than to drag an investigation that was going nowhere.

WHAT NEXT

It’s big and obvious: successful and relatively quick investigations into high-profile cases.

BY THE WAY

He was manager of the Indian hockey team in the 2001 Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia.

33. Shivshankar Menon,61

National Security Adviser

WHY

One of the few close advisers to the PM whose stature hasn’t been affected by the tough times the government is facing,which is why he stays pretty much where he was on last year’s list. His inputs are crucial when it comes to the PM’s approach to Pakistan. And he is the official who gets most credit for P-5 heads of governments visiting India last year. The relatively smooth successions in IB and RAW are also partly his doing.

POWER PUNCH

Getting the Americans to come out and support India’s candidature for the UNSC.

WHAT NEXT

With India elected to UNSC as a non-permanent member,his strategy is key when deciding the stand on “sensitive” issues like Iran.

BY THE WAY

Can play the guitar,not a bad singer.

34. SALMAN KHURSHID,57

Union Water Resources and Minority Affairs Minister

WHY

He makes it to the list because of his recent promotion to the Cabinet rank. Although the water resources ministry looks unglamorous,it’s hugely important. Plus,the Congress has projected him as its minority face in Uttar Pradesh.

POWER PUNCH

He took on Home Minister P Chidambaram on the Enemy Property Bill.

WHAT NEXT

He has to justify his elevation to the Cabinet. Water resources needs imaginative ministerial leadership. Expected to play a big role in the 2012 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

BY THE WAY

He is a great mimic,especially of Opposition leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee,LK Advani and Jaswant Singh.

34. Sunil Mittal,53

Chairman & Group CEO,Bharti Enterprises

WHY

His businesses are now set to straddle the globe. The Bharti group’s acquisition of the African assets of Zain,Kuwait’s leading telecom firm,has given Mittal a leg-up,widening the gap in terms of subscribers that may take his nearest competitor at least 10 years to bridge. When the world’s largest discount retail chain,Walmart,came shopping in India,it chose to partner the Bharti group.

POWER PUNCH

In June 2010,when Mittal sealed his $10.7 billion deal with Zain Telecom,his company became the world’s fifth largest mobile phone operator. He is also keen to be the ambassador for any of India Inc’s forays into South Africa.

WHAT NEXT

His biggest challenge would be to convert Zain’s acquisition into value for its investors. With the largest customer base in India,the other challenge would be the successful roll-out of 3G services.

BY THE WAY

Mittal turns vegetarian when any of his companies is embarking on a deal and stays that way till the deal is sealed.

36. Mayawati,55

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister

WHY

She jumps up nearly 20 places in the list because the CM of India’s largest state has consolidated her position,despite the frequent controversies that hit her and her party and government. The BSP to Sonia-Rahul pocket boroughs. Also,the Samajwadi Party looks its weakest ever in UP.

POWER PUNCH

It’s in her power to make life difficult or easy for the Congress in Parliament. Her unwillingness to go with the Opposition on a cut motion on inflation during the 2010 Budget debate helped the Congress,which knows that the BSP,the third largest parliamentary party after the Congress and the BJP,is a heavyweight not just in Lucknow,but in Delhi as well.

WHAT NEXT

Election 2012. If she returns to power,she will become a big player in national politics.

BY THE WAY

She starts her day with lemon tea.

37. L K Advani, 83

BJP Parliamentary Party Chairman

WHY

He’s more or less where he was last year in the list because he has managed to gracefully adjust to his role as an elder statesman of the party while retaining the ability to influence some decisions. But inevitably,there’s proof of diminished power as well. Arjun Munda was selected as Jharkhand CM and BS Yeddyurappa was retained in Karnataka despite his discomfiture over these decisions.

POWER PUNCH

He advocated that party leaders maintain media silence in the run-up to the Ayodhya verdict. The party listened.

WHAT NEXT

His big job now is to use his experience and stature to help get more allies for the BJP and expand the NDA,of which he’s the Working Chairman.

BY THE WAY

A big cricket fan,he watches the game even when India is not playing.

38. Kalanidhi Maran,46

Chairman and Managing Director,Sun TV Network

WHY

Son of former Union commerce minister Murasoli Maran and grand-nephew of DMK chief M Karunanidhi,he has come a long way since he began his career as a circulation clerk at Sumangli Publications. At number 342 on the Forbes world billionaires list,he runs the most profitable TV network in Asia. He holds 77 per cent stake in Sun TV Network that has 20 channels in four languages and 46 FM radio stations. He owns two Tamil newspapers and four magazines.

POWER PUNCH

After a successful run in media,Maran forayed into aviation last year and bought 37.75 per cent stake in the low-cost airline SpiceJet. He rejigged the low-cost carrier’s board and inducted four of his nominees as directors.

WHAT NEXT

The ambitious media mogul is reportedly in talks with the Wadias to acquire a stake in Go Airlines (GoAir).

BY THE WAY

While in Chennai,he travels in his fleet of super luxury cars. For longer journeys,he has a private jet.

39. Ratan Tata,73

Tata Group chairman

WHY

He remains the chief of India’s largest industrial conglomerate with operations in seven major sectors,market capitalisation of Rs 4,60,000 crore and an employee base of 3.5 lakh. He continues to be a dynamic businessman but slips in the list because he was one of the many among the very powerful who was the focus of attention post-Radia tapes. Also,his much-talked-about small car,Nano,hit a few roadblocks.

POWER PUNCH

Probably the first industrialist to go public on corporate concerns. He moved the Supreme Court against leaking private conversation and violation of the right to privacy.

WHAT NEXT

He is likely hang up his boots as the Tata group chief in 2012,and his successor is likely to be named this year. He’s also expected to consolidate operations of Corus and Jaguar Land Rover. His Nano revival plans are also being watched.

BY THE WAY

Loves dogs and often travels with them. If he were not the head of the Tata group,he says he would’ve been an architect.

40. GANAPATHI,58

CPI(Maoist) General Secretary

WHY

As head of the banned CPI (Maoist),he represents what the Prime Minister called the “greatest internal security challenge”. He slides down the list because the Naxals have been under pressure from the Centre after the Dantewada attack in April 2010. That attack spurred the government into planning and consolidating the control of security forces in Naxal areas. The killing of Azad,Ganapathi’s right-hand man,was another setback. But the Maoists under him still represent a hugely formidable challenge to the government.

POWER PUNCH

In April last year,Naxalites killed 76 policemen in Dantewada,Chhattisgarh,inflicting the biggest single-day casualty for security forces.

WHAT NEXT

It will be interesting to see what time Ganapathi chooses to accept the government’s offer of talks.

BY THE WAY

He is a teetotaller and his favourite beverage is coffee.