New friends, tried & trusted

The 57-year-old Azad took over as J-K Pradesh Congress Committee before 2002 Assembly polls, revived it and formed the government along with PDP.

Arjun Singh
Another loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi family, the veteran Congressman has seen many political upheavals since he became an independent MLA in Madhya Pradesh in 1957 after a brief stint of practising law.

He fell out with the party following differences over several issues including Babri Masjid demolition case, and quit the government in December 1994. He was expelled from Congress in February 1995. He returned to the party in 1997.

A RS member, 73-year-old Singh joined the party in 1960. In addition to being Madhya Pradesh CM between 1980-85, he held commerce, communications and HRD portfolio at the Centre.

Natwar Singh
A seasoned diplomat, 73-year-old Singh has made a mark as an able administrator, parliamentarian and a tough negotiator on issues related to foreign affairs.

He went to Cambridge and Peking University in China for higher education. He also headed Indian missions in Poland, Zambia and Pakistan besides serving in Britain as Deputy High Commissioner. Elected as LS member in 1984, he joined the Rajiv Gandhi government as Minister of State for steel. In 1986, he was appointed as MoS in the External Affairs Ministry and held the position for three years. A 1953 batch IFS officer, he also served as secretary in MEA.

H.R. Bhardwaj
A lawyer by profession and trusted lieutenant of late PM Indira Gandhi, he has staged a comeback in politics after eight years. A veteran Congressman, the 67 year-old supported Gandhi during the post-Emergency days and defended her in many cases.

He was elected to RS in 1982. He held the post of MoS law, justice and company affairs in the Congress government first between 1985-89, and then between 1991-96.

Prem Chand Gupta
Considered very close to RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav, he is a Last minute inclusion in the list of MoS (independent charge). The 54-year-old was elected to RS in 1966. He is basically a businessman, manufacturing ammunition shell cases and fuses.

Those who were also in UF government

Renuka Choudhury
Joined politics as a TDP chief NTR acolyte and became one of the youngest and loudest Rajya Sabha members in the Rajiv Gandhi years. Ironically, she was a leading member of the anti-Rajiv shouting brigade on the Bofors issue. And, once she joined the Congress she was equally vociferous in defending the party in LS. Known for her histrionics like arriving in Parliament on a tractor to protest the plight of farmers in her home state. Elected from Khammam for the second time, her loyalty has been finally rewarded.

Jaipal Reddy
An eloquent speaker and Congress spokesperson, Reddy once again makes his entry into government with his experience as Information and Broadcasting minister during the UF government.

The son of a farmer, who has not studied English in school, his erudition and ability to juggle with words in the language is a surprise to everyone.

Undeterred by his physical handicap — having been afflicted with polio at the age of two — he has made a long political journey from Congress to Janata Dal and back to Congress after 24 years. Always known to maintain his cool, and his ability for a quick repartee, he got the Best Parliamentarian Award.

P. Chidambaram
Recipient of ‘Asia’s Best Finance Minsiter’ award given by an Australian university in 1997, he was FM under the UF government between 1996-98. Tipped to get commerce ministry, he also held the portfolio in the Narasimha Rao government. He was also minister for Personnel and Public Grievances, and Internal Security (Home) in 1985.

He has been elected to the LS six since 1984. The 58-year-old Chidambaram completed his MBA from Harvard University. A senior advocate, he practices in High Courts and the Supreme Court and is also one of the solicitors taking part in arbitration cases abroad for MNCs.

Mohammad Taslimuddin
A RJD member, known to exercise major influence over party president Laloo Prasad Yadav, he was Minister of State (Home) in the UF government.

He was forced to step down due to pending criminal cases against him. He has shared a blow-hot-blow-cold relationship with the RJD.

He defeated Shahnawaz Hussain from Kishenganj to get back into Lok Sabha. Being sworn in as Minister of State today came as a surprise to all.

Those who were also in NDA government

T.R. Baalu
Minister for environment and forest in the NDA government, he has come back — this time in the Congress-led alliance — after he was elected MP from South Chennai constituency for the fourth time. He is hoping to better the act this time. The BSc graduate made his debut in 1996.

A. Raja
The 40-year-old family welfare minister in the previous NDA government, Raja has been elected from Perambalur constituency.

He made his electoral debut for the Lok Sabha polls in 1996 by defeating a Congress candidate.

Raja has been active in the Dravidian movement right from his school days and later became a member of the DMK and held various positions in the party at district level.

Ram Vilas Paswan
After sulking for a while, Ram Vilas Paswan — heading the Lok Janshakti Party — made it to the swearing-in ceremony after being placated by former PM V.P. Singh. He returns to the Union government after a gap of two years. Another former NDA ally, he quit in the wake of post-Godhra violence to float his new party.

Born in Saharbani village of Khagaria district to an ordinary farmer in 1947, Paswan took a plunge into politics in mid-60s leaving a lucrative police job as DSP. A votary of socialism, Paswan has been a MP eight times.

Losers who were sworn in

Praful Patel
Lost elections from Bhandara by 3.000 votes. The NCP spokesman, Patel is supposed to be close to party chief Sharad Pawar. Also a RS member, he was on the Consultative Committee of Civil Aviation Ministry. Claiming to have bagged the independent charge of civil aviation ministry as MoS, he is also known as the ‘beedi king’ because of his business interests.

P.M. Sayeed
A veteran Parliamentarian, he lost the Lok Sabha elections for the first time, having represented the tiny island of Lakshdweep for 10 terms.

He lost by only 71 votes to his JD(U) rival. The 63-year-old leader has been representing Kavaratti consistently since 1967. Sayeed has the experience of holding various ministerial posts, and was also the Deputy Speaker of the dissolved 13th Lok Sabha.

Shivraj Patil
The 69-year-old lost the recent LS polls from Latur constituency in Maharashtra. He has held various ministries during his political career as also that of LS Speaker. Known to be a natty, yet a sartorial dresser, he has shown special interest in debates on defence issues. Having served as MoS Defence with independent charge, he is also tipped to be the defence minister.