Indian Express Power List 2015: No. 41-50

WHY

He tied up with the BJP ahead of the 2014 Assembly elections to return to power as the first chief minister of a truncated Andhra Pradesh, winning 102 of 175 seats.

POWER PUNCH
Convinced farmers to part with their land for new capital through coercion and compensation.

WHAT NEXT

Naidu is starting from scratch in the new state with limited resources, but this is also his chance to leave a mark.

BY THE WAY: After his MA in 1974, Naidu enrolled for a PhD but instead joined politics.

Rank 42 | Raman Singh (62) | Chhattisgarh Chief Minister

2014: Rank 37

WHY

The Raman Singh government has of late taken a series of hits — sterilisation deaths and loss in civic polls. But if that didn’t affect him politically, it is because he has the full support of the bureaucracy.

POWER PUNCH

When the PM directed all states to discontinue bonus on paddy procurement, he was the only CM to hold out.

WHAT NEXT

Will have to tighten his hold on the administration.

BY THE WAY: He was called “Shanichar doctor” because, as an ayurvedic doctor, he used to treat his patients for free every Saturday.

Rank 43 | Anand Mahindra (59) | Chairman & MD, Mahindra & Mahindra

2014: Rank 41

WHY

His M&M is the “god of big things” (largest producer of utility vehicles and tractors) and many things (software, vacation services, defence and financial services).

POWER PUNCH

Took over Peugeot Motorcycles for 54 million euros last year.

WHAT NEXT

The group is expected to launch a new range of utility vehicles, electric cars and aircraft this year.

BY THE WAY: Narendra Modi rode to his May 2014 swearing-in ceremony in a grey Mahindra Scorpio. An ecstatic Mahindra was the first to tweet about it.

Rank 44 | Fali S Nariman (86) | Eminent lawyer

2014: Rank 45

WHY

He is the conscience keeper of the legal fraternity, often consulted by judges and lawyers on constitutional matters.

POWER PUNCH

As he successfully bailed out Sunil Mittal in a 2G case, Nariman convinced the court to lay down a legal principle that top management of a company cannot be held liable if the company was being prosecuted.

WHAT NEXT

Will lead from the front with a clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the NJAC.

BY THE WAY: He turns down cases if he is not convinced about a client’s bona fides.

Rank 45 | Sukhbir Singh Badal (52) | Punjab Deputy Chief Minister

2014: Rank 67

WHY

President of the Akali Dal, he is the super CM of Punjab.

POWER PUNCH

Got two Congress MLAs to resign and recontest as Akali candidates. Their win ensured that the Akalis now have a majority in the House without the BJP.

WHAT NEXT

Badal will have to work on his party’s uneasy alliance with the BJP to keep a resurgent AAP away from Punjab.

BY THE WAY: Every weekend, he is in the Capital to spend time with his kids. He reserves Sunday for them, and for washing his hair.

Rank 46 | Priyanka Vadra (43) | Daughter of Sonia Gandhi

2014: Rank 24

WHY

After the Lok Sabha election defeat, Congress sources say her involvement in her mother’s and brother’s constituencies, Rae Bareli and Amethi, has increased though she continues to remain behind the scenes.

POWER PUNCH

“Priyanka lao, Congress bachao” is a constant refrain after every drubbing the party gets.

WHAT NEXT

The guessing game continues. Will she take the political plunge? Congressmen, as always, remain hopeful.

BY THE WAY: She is fond of dogs and has two Golden Retrievers.

Rank 47 | Sharad Pawar (74) | President, NCP

2014: Rank 12

WHY

NCP continues to retain political significance, largely because of the rapport Pawar shares with leaders across party lines. In an important signal to the BJP, he has kept doors open to both the Modi government at the Centre and the Fadnavis government in Maharashtra.

POWER PUNCH

Got Modi to attend a family function in Baramati. Modi said he seeks “guidance” from Pawar.

WHAT NEXT

After the national and state routs, he has to consolidate the NCP.

BY THE WAY: He worked as a cub reporter for Marathi newspaper Sakal, which his brother later bought.

Rank 48 | Soli Sorabjee (84) | Eminent lawyer

NEW ON THE LIST

WHY

The former Attorney General of India is one of the most celebrated lawyers representing some of the biggest companies and names.

POWER PUNCH

After the outrage over the Solicitor General of India representing the SIT in the black money case, Sorabjee silenced all when he showed up to represent the SIT.

WHAT NEXT

His opposition to Section 66A of the IT Act will play a key role when the SC comes out with its ruling.

BY THE WAY: He’s opposed to lawyers charging high fees and believes law is not a profession to make quick fortunes.

Rank 49 | Naveen Patnaik (46) | Orissa Chief Minister

2014: Rank 20

WHY

Last year, he became one of the few politicians in India to notch a fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister, leading BJD to a landslide win in LS and Assembly polls.

POWER PUNCH

In December last year, he cancelled around 6,000 allotments of houses and plots to judges, bureaucrats, politicians and journalists made in the last 20 years.

WHAT NEXT

He remains on tenterhooks as the chit fund scam and the CBI probe into the coal block allotment to Hindalco knock at his doorstep.

BY THE WAY: Once owned boutique Psychedelhi in a Delhi hotel.

Rank 50 | Siddaramaiah (66) | Karnataka Chief Minister

2014: Rank 31

WHY

As one of the last standing Congress chief ministers in the country, the onus of redeeming the grand old party through good governance rests on Siddaramaiah.

POWER PUNCH

Despite reservations in many quarters, he is going in for a caste census, whereby households, including non-Hindus, can pick the caste they want to be listed under.

WHAT NEXT

Given a weakened national leadership, the OBC leader will have a free hand in shaping both his own fortunes and that of the party.

BY THE WAY: He was a criminal lawyer before he joined politics.