None can talk or perhaps even think about India without thinking about Narendra Modi -- India's much popular Prime Minister.
But none can do so about Modi today without referring to his trusted friend and virtual second in command - both in the government and the party --- one and only Amit Shah.
Bitter critics could even wonder -- who is really ruling India today ?
Modi or Shah?
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge did not mind calling Shah - 'Chanakya' --- the ultimate wise and powerful man behind the throne in India's history.
Known as a master strategist, Shah reportedly first met Narendra Modi in 1982 through Ahmedabad RSS circles. Under Modi in Gujarat, Shah emerged as one of the most powerful leaders in the state and also a controversial figure. He went behind bars and his statecraft in politics came into play first when Rajnath Singh made him BJP general secretary in-charge of UP for 2014 polls.
The results shocked the nation and the world. There was a saffron surge unthinkable -- out of 80, BJP won 71 on its own and two for its ally Apna Dal. Modi knew what to do next -- as Rajnath moved as Home Miniser, Shah took over as BJP's national president.
In 2019, Shah replaced Rajnath this time in the Home Ministry as the senior leader moved as India's Defence Minister. There was no looking back.
Hardly five 65 days in office as Home Minister, Shah was a key architect to abrogate Article 370. His grip increased and he started having key say in the functioning of the Modi government in north east and other critical issues across India.
In 2023 of course -- Shah had to deal with a serious challenge in Manipur as Kukis and Meiteis clahsed. He was grilled in Parliament and the Home Minister gave elaborate responses. Prior to that he visited Manipur and also camped for three days.
Observers often say at times there is a case of 'minimum PMO influence' and 'maximum MHA/HMO influence' in the affairs related to governance, Several Chief Ministers like Himanta Biswa Sarma are picked up by him and also given enough and at times 'more than enough power and importance'.
Visit Nagaland and before one discusses 'Nagaland politics and even survival of Rio government' --- the strangers will be guided to study what Himanta will be doing or whether he will accompany Neiphiu Rio during next meeting with the Home Minister.
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| Usual adda: Shah with Rio and Himanta |
Incidentally after the exit of Zoramthanga as the Mizoram Chief Minister, NDPP leader Rio is now the senior most chief minister in the northeast.
Well, Himanta is not alone -- Manik Sarkar in Tripura, N Biren Singh in Manipur and Pema Khandu in Arunachal Pradesh are three other BJP chief ministers in the north east. All three are considered Shah loyalists and incidentally also ex-Congressmen.
In 2023 of course Shah also came under scanner of opposition in the wake of smoke attack in Lok Sabha. But the calendar year and Shah -- both will be remembered -- for bringing in three new criminal laws replacing good old CrPC, IPC codes and Evidence Act.
The taste of the pudding is in the eating but some changes in the new criminal laws looks quite innovative and result-oriented reform strategies.
Second headline hunter in India -- has been Rahul Gandhi
Years back, that is in 2013, Rahul Gandhi was just 42 plus and was made Congress vice president.
Party leaders including his 'powerful mother' Sonia Gandhi and the then PM Manmohan Singh hoped that his elevation will lift Congress's dwindling credibility at a time when the UPA coalition government in New Delhi was the target of public anger and sharp media criticism over corruption scandals, rising prices and violence against women.
The move failed in 2014. In 2017, Rahul was made Congress president. But in 2019, the Congress lost again.
But in 2023, he seemed to have discovered a new formula called Bharat Jodo Yatra as a panacea -- cure all disease type medicine. The Congress success in Karnataka polls also made it obvious that perhaps he has got the right political rhythm and rhyme. Not long ago wags called him "Reluctant Rahul" and "heir not apparent".
However, in November 2023 polls even as Congress could wrest power in Telangana pulling the carpet underneath the feet of BRS supremo K Chandrashekhar Rao, the Congress lost power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and could not oust BJP in Madhya Pradesh.
But the scion of the first political dynasty also remained among headlines for his one-liners and quite not so ingenious statements.
A few years ago he said: "You all are demanding a potato factory in your area, but you should understand I am an opposition leader. I cannot open a potato factory". A slip of tongue -- actually he meant 'factory of potato chips'.
In August during No Trust motion debate, BJD floor leader Pinaki Misra said in Lok Sabha: "...I have always believed that the Congress party is adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They are also very adept at cutting their nose to spite their face".
Revanth Reddy
New Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has to prove his worth.
A member of Sanghparivar-run ABVP while he was a student, Reddy came into politics in 2006 when he contested the local body election and was elected as ZPTC member from Midjil mandal as an independent candidate.
He joined the TDP and in 2009 was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly from Kodangal constituency as a TDP candidate.
On 25 October 2017, TDP removed him as the floor leader of the Telangana TDP after reports surfaced that he would consider joining the Congress party.
On October 31, 2017 he joined Indian National Congress. He contested the 2018 Telangana Assembly elections from Kodangal as Congress candidate and lost to BRS.
Following his defeat in the 2018 Telangana legislative assembly election, Reddy successfully contested the 2019 general election from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency as a Congress candidate. He became state unit Congress president in 2021 and the rest is history.
In North East -- N Biren Singh, NNPG leader Kitovi & Mizo CM Lalduhawma
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