The most powerful Indians in 2011: No. 61-70

WHY

There are few high-profile current cases capable of influencing politics and policy which don’t feature him somewhere. He rises further up the list because he’s even more influential now as a lawyer-activist than he was last year. 2G,CVC,judges assets — he’s a lawyer in all of them. He’s become the lawyer who everyone expects will be involved in the most complex questions asked of the establishment.

POWER PUNCH

He caught the government by surprise when he introduced CAG’s report on 2G during court hearings.

WHAT NEXT

He is expected to argue Binayak Sen’s case in the Supreme Court,which is yet another high-profile,high-voltage issue. Will also be in the thick of things as the cases on alleged official venality wind their way through the courts.

BY THE WAY

Brown-and-red Himachali cap — that’s his signature sartorial style in winter.

62. Sushil Kumar Modi,59

Deputy Chief Minister,Bihar

WHY

The spectacular success of the JD(U)-BJP combine in the Bihar polls have rightly cast the spotlight on him,who makes it to the list this time. Known for his understated political style,his political persona draws both from his RSS roots and his grooming in the JP movement. He has been an unobtrusive deputy to Nitish Kumar. He has performed some formidable balancing acts — between the JD(U) and the BJP,between truculent party cadres who felt he gave in too much to Nitish and a government focusing on some unprecedented challenges of governance.

POWER PUNCH

Under his helmsmanship,the BJP in Bihar has performed like never before: its strike rate is 89.2 per cent against JD(U)’s 81.4 per cent.

WHAT NEXT

His challenge is to lend stability to the BJP-JD(U) alliance for another five years.

BY THE WAY

Drinks neither tea nor coffee. Attributes it to the discipline instilled in him by the RSS.

63. Amit Mitra,63

Secretary-General,FICCI

WHY

The secretary-general of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry makes his debut on the list this year for his proximity to Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee. If she wins in Bengal this year,he’s a likely ministerial choice for an important portfolio. He is a close adviser of Banerjee,who relies on him for his knowledge of industry and mobilising investments for the railways.

POWER PUNCH

Banerjee chose him to chair an expert committee to advise the Railways Ministry on innovative financing and implementation of economically unviable but socially-desired projects.

WHAT NEXT

Close strategy sessions with the Trinamool Congress chief,as the Bengal poll approaches.

BY THE WAY

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was his professor at Delhi University.

64. Subir Gokarn, 51

Deputy Governor of RBI

WHY

He makes it to the power list because he is the intellectual powerhouse in the RBI,at a time when the RBI has never been as important as it is now. Gokarn worked with rating agency Crisil before he moved to the RBI,and was a much-sought-after economist in the finance ministry. Despite being an outsider,the fact that he was chosen for the deputy governor post,shows the good equation he’s built over the years within the government and the finance fraternity.

POWER PUNCH

The RBI discussion paper on fresh entry of private banks that Gokarn and his team prepared has been appreciated for its analysis and precision.

WHAT NEXT

How RBI frames rules for private players’ entry into the banking sector will be critical.

BY THE WAY

He’s the first Deputy Governor born after India’s Independence.

65. Anand Mahindra,55

Mahindra & Mahindra Vice-Chairman and Managing Director

WHY

He rises in the list because his new projects look promising. Besides launching two-wheelers,he bought electric carmaker Reva,as the future is in clean energy. His acquisition of the beleaguered Satyam helped increase Tech Mahindra’s profits. After acquiring stakes in Gippsland Aeronautics and Aerostaff Australia,he now plans to make his firm the first Indian private company to manufacture small aircraft for the domestic aviation market.

POWER PUNCH

Beat international competition by signing a pact with South Korea’s SsangYong Motors that will help Mahindra & Mahindra in the SUV segment.

WHAT NEXT

With global expansion,Mahindra is now tasked with promoting the company’s new brand position. The core value of “Indians being second to none” is no longer relevant.

BY THE WAY

An avid movie watcher,and a blues lover; set to start an annual blues fest in Mumbai.

66. KV Kamath, 63

ICICI Bank Chairman

Why

After taking the ICICI Bank and its group entities to new heights,he relinquished executive responsibilities and became non-executive chairman last year. As he kept a low profile,his ranking has slipped from 45 to 66. However,he’s still the guiding force of ICICI,whose mutual fund,insurance and venture capital arms are doing well.

Power Punch

After giving up executive positions in 2009,he made the transition smooth last year,guiding current MD & CEO Chanda Kochhar in its operations. As chairman of the banking group,he has been leading from the front in rebuilding the bank after the global crisis.

What next

There’s intense speculation that he will be the next Infosys chairman. Though he denies it,the talk refuses to die down.

By the way

Instead of joining the family’s tile factory in Karnataka,he opted for IIM Ahmedabad and then joined ICICI.

67. Raj Thackeray,42

MNS President

WHY

He slides down the list because MNS’s strong arm tactic,though an ever present threat in Maharashtra politics,is exhibiting diminishing returns. Also,it is no longer clear whether he can carve out enough space for MNS to be an effective third pole in the state. But the potential for disruption and for better poll performance is there,and that makes him a player to reckon with.

POWER PUNCH

Jaya Bachchan made what he thought were “anti-Marathi” remarks,and Amitabh Bachchan apologised.

WHAT NEXT

Mumbai’s municipal elections a year from now should keep him busy. If he can win the prestigious council,his profile will rise again,in part because the Shiv Sena would then be down in Mumbai.

BY THE WAY

An Amitabh Bachchan fan — never mind the protests against Bachchan — he has named his son Amit.

68. Aamir Khan,45

Actor,Producer

WHY

He didn’t have a big release last year,and that’s partly why he slips in the list. But he’s still the highest-ranked Bollywood star because as he proved with Peepli [Live,he can be immensely influential he is as a producer and marketer. His choices,both as an actor and a producer are unpredictable — he insisted before the release of Dhobi Ghat that it was not a typical ‘Aamir’ film. That he also has an uncanny understanding of box-office economics and marketing wizardry is what makes him stand out in Bollywood.

POWER PUNCH

Convinced multiplex owners not to break for an interval for Dhobi Ghat.

WHAT NEXT

He’s on the jury of the 61st Berlin International Film Festival. As a producer,he’ll release Delhi Belly,a caper about three guys who get entangled in the underworld. As an actor,he’ll star in Reema Kagti’s untitled thriller.

BY THE WAY

His wife Kiran Rao’s name for him is Chotte.

69. Ghulam Nabi Azad,61

Health Minister

WHY

He makes it to the list because he has handled health with the minimum of controversy but with some evidence of active policy-making. That’s why he wasn’t on the list of ministers who needed shunting around when the recent Cabinet reshuffle was being planned. The rural doctors’ scheme,his own idea,has received positive response from all states and,implemented even moderately well,can have a big impact on village health care. Also,as Kashmir has become troubled,this Kashmiri Congressman’s importance has increased.

POWER PUNCH

Brought in an ordinance to dissolve the Medical Council of India after its president was caught on bribery charges.

WHAT NEXT

Implementing the Bachelor of Rural Medicine scheme and cleaning up medical regulations,which need major organisational reform.

BY THE WAY

Loves gardening,and does it even when it’s raining.

70. General VK SINGH,59

Chief of Army Staff

WHY

He makes it to the list because he has emerged as an effective army chief after a series of disappointing predecessors. His battles against venality in the forces are already well-known,as is his willingness to take firm stands on high-profile issues; he opposed troop reduction in Kashmir and proposals to engage the force against Maoists. He’s also cleaning up the army’s promotions and postings system.

POWER PUNCH

He took the Sukna investigation to its logical conclusion,having started it as Eastern Command chief and ending it as army chief. Two Lt Generals were court-martialled.

WHAT NEXT

The army needs to catch up with the air force and navy in terms of modernisation and needs a big jump in capital spending. He has announced that the army will get a new artillery gun this year.

BY THE WAY

Has half-a-dozen dogs in his house,who get at least half-an-hour of his exclusive attention in the morning.