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Sonia Gandhi,65, UPA Chairperson and Congress President (1)

Mother Superior

BecauseCongress cannot do without her, in fair weather or foul.

Because she has the best equation with allies, without whose support UPA is toast.

Becausewhen she asks for a Food Security Bill that pushes up the subsidy bill to Rs.1 lakh crore, Manmohan Singh calls a special meeting of the Cabinet armed with a rubber stamp.

Because she was ranked seventh on the Forbes List of 100 Most Powerful Women in the World (2011), ahead of the first lady of USA, Michelle Obama.

Power pointWhen two of Manmohan's most powerful ministers, Pranab Mukherjee and P. Chidambaram, got into a turf war in 2011, it took Sonia's intervention to broker a truce Ethnic chicMuted handlooms and elegant silks. But when it's asalwa kameez, she usually ties her hair in a ponytail.

Smart moveWalking across to Mulayam Singh Yadav in Central Hall of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session to congratulate him on the Assembly polls win.

Pranab Mukherjee

76, Finance Minister (3)

Man for All Reasons

Becausewhatever the crisis, he is the chief troubleshooter, from Telangana to consensus on NCTC and in a time of relentless crises, he has become indispensable.

Because he is the one politician who leaves Sonia Gandhi worried, which explains why she promoted Manmohan Singh to Prime Minister and a'ji huzoor' like Pratibha Patil to President.

Height no barAt 5 feet 3 inches, he is still the tallest man in the Cabinet.

One ally he can't control Mamata Banerjee.

Has invokedLord Indra and Goddess Lakshmi (2011), Mahatma Gandhi, Kautilya and Amartya Sen (2009) during his Budget speeches.

Sacred space He sits between Sonia and Manmohan in Parliament. If any MP tries to sit in his seat in Mukherjee's absence, he is immediately made to get up by Sonia.

Manmohan Singh

79, Prime Minister (2)

The Survivor

Because as the prime beneficiary of paradox, his net worth has risen after his nominated heir Rahul Gandhi's collapse in Uttar Pradesh.

Becausedespite the 2G and cwg scams, an offensive by army chief General V.K. Singh, a year-long siege by Anna Hazare and demanding allies like Mamata Banerjee, his Government survives.

Because he has a far higher standing abroad than most world leaders, higher than his reputation at home.

He really should stopdinner diplomacy. The rsvp list at 7, Race Course Road is a bit thin with senior allies deputing junior ministers, as had happened at the last dinner he hosted on March 13.

Still believesin the foreign hand conspiracy. During the Anna Hazare crisis in July 2011, he told Parliament there was an international conspiracy afoot to destabilise India's growth story. In February, he blamed the foreign hand for protests by NGOs against Kudankulam and GM crops.

Last vacationForty years ago, in Nainital. Whenever a break is suggested, he says, "But what will I do?" On holiday, that is.

Mamata Banerjee

57, Chief Minister, West Bengal (New)

Hurricane Express

Because she almost single-handedly defeated the Left Front in West Bengal after 34 years of uninterrupted rule.

Because she is the most unreliable ally of the UPA 2 Government, making her also its most powerful.

Because she has not allowed power to corrupt her, financially.

Because she is the only example of a rebel Congresswoman who has reduced the Congress to a minor party in her state.

Because she is the only voice in her one-woman party.

High pointBecoming the first woman chief minister of West Bengal.

Brand loyaltyWears hawai chappals and white cotton saris worth a maximum ofRs.350.

After office address She works all the time she is awake.

Mulayam Singh Yadav

72, MP and Samajwadi Party Chief (New)

The Kingmaker

Because his sweeping win in Uttar Pradesh has made him one of the most powerful players in Delhi.

Becausewhen he tells party workers in Uttar Pradesh to prepare for General Elections, every other party starts to search for candidates.

Becausedespite vehement protests from party veterans, he successfully installed son Akhilesh as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, sparking off jokes that Uttar Pradesh is now Puttar Pradesh.

Because he now sees himself as a potential Prime Minister.

Never late He is always punctual, sometimes arriving at rallies before his own candidate.

Did you know? He was nominated for the International Jurists Award 2012 by the chief justice of the UK.

Arun Jaitley

59, Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha (9)

The Great Communicator

Because he has kept UPA 2 under constant pressure in Parliament, raising uncomfortable questions on corruption, price rise, NCTC and Lokpal Bill.

Because he represents the moderate face of BJP.

BecauseParliament listens when he stands up to speak, always well prepared and updated with facts and figures.

Because he is a strong contender as BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

Because the BJP's key strategist is taken seriously when he articulates the party's policies.

FirefighterHis persuasive skills help the party in sticky situations, and keep communication channels open with NDA allies.

Nitish Kumar

61, Chief Minister of Bihar (6)

In Demand

Because he is on the shortlist of potential PMs.

Because he has across-the-board acceptability, like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, being a darling of Right, Left and the emerging clan of federalists.

Because he scripted a success story in Bihar, transforming it into one of the fastest growing states in the country.

Operates from 1 Anne Marg, Patna, the chief minister's official home.

Power friends Arun Jaitley.

Power statementDoes not use a mobile phone.

Travel modeOfficial Ambassador car.

Out of bounds He has kept his only son, Nishant, an engineering graduate from BITS Mesra, away from politics.

Rahul Gandhi

41, General Secretary, Congress (4)

The Lost Prince

Becausewhen he messes up, his followers rush to take the blame.

Because the Congress party still feels that he can be Prime Minister at any midnight hour of his choice.

Because with Sonia Gandhi taking a conscious step backwards, he will inevitably take charge of the party, a process postponed, not aborted, by the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Smart moveTaking responsibility for the Uttar Pradesh poll debacle.

J. Jayalalithaa

64, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (New)

Southern Command

Becausebeneath surface calm, she can wield influence over national policy when she wants to, as during India's vote at UN over Sri Lanka.

Because she is a pivotal point of the budding opposition alliance that seeks to defeat upa in the next General Elections.

Because her popularity has gone into further ascent after her spectacular victory in the Assembly elections in 2011.

Coming soonThe film Sister On, Sister Off 2, a joint-production between Jayalalithaa and Sasikala Natarajan.

P. Chidambaram

66, Home Minister (5)

Mr Omnipresent

Becausewhen the Prime Minister's Office leaked a finance ministry note raising doubts about his role in the 2G spectrum allocation, he had the complete backing of 10 Janpath, and Sonia Gandhi ensured that the party stood by the home minister.

Becausedespite a series of gaffes beginning with Telangana, he remains in office, seemingly immovable.

Loves to quote the Thirukkural by poet-philosopher Saint Thiruvalluvar, an ancient Tamil compilation of advice for every situation. He has quoted from it in every Budget speech.