This is the list of 50 most powerful Indians published by the Indian Express group and obviously topped by the most powerful person of the year, Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi Ji. But the most surprising thing here is, Yogi Adityanath who just entered the list had managed to bag the position amongst top 10 most powerful Indians.
The list of top 50 most powerful Indians published by the Indian Express Groups claims that the first three positions of 2016 have been retained by the earlier toppers — Prime Minister Narendra Modi at No. 1, BJP president Amit Shah on No. 2 and RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat on the third position — but with a difference. Take a look at The Indian Express power list of 2016-17 not just to see who are the most powerful 100 in this country of a billion plus. Look at it, also, to get a sense of how, over the past year, power has changed hands — and how power itself has changed.
The power does not remain with anyone for a long time and similar things happened here in this case too. Many powerful people have slipped down to the bottom of the list within just one years time while some new faces have come up and taken the top positions in this list. More than any other in recent times, the past year has framed and sharpened an absence in India’s liberal democratic imagination.
Liberal democracy in India has always seemed ill-trained in the art of separation that produces a check and balance on power and is also a way of fragmenting it. Democracy in India doesn’t ask itself the question, at least not often enough, and not with enough sophistication: What are the bases of different institutions? What are the different kinds of power?
The top three powerful people of the last year managed to pave their way to the top once more with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, and RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat but with a difference. While Modi remains numero uno, Shah trades places with Bhagwat. The moving up of Shah, the stepping down of Bhagwat, if only by a rung each, speaks of an unfolding realignment within the Sangh Parivar — the dramatic electoral successes of the Modi-Shah election machine are helping them pull ahead of not just their opponents and rivals but also their friends.
The year 2015-2016 was when the political Opposition struck back at the BJP dominance established by its 282-seat triumph in 2014 first Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP routed the BJP in Delhi, then the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Prasad Mahagathbandhan trounced it in Bihar. It was also the year when the BJP’s political project seemed challenged by events and stories outside the political arena that snowballed, acquired power, became writ large — the murder of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri over rumours of beef in September 2015, the suicide of Dalit student Rohith Vemula at the Hyderabad University campus in January 2016. This was followed by the spreading protests against the arrest of students in JNU on charges of sedition, which also stoked a wide and vibrant debate on the meaning of nationalism.
There is a big fall of some of the top leaders like Mayawati who was in the 30th position had fallen down to 50 and Arvind Kejriwal slipped down to 33 positions right from the 8th position which is now taken by the YOGI Adityanath who is ruling the UP at present. Yet, in 2017, that agitation and those debates seem frayed and faded already. Their dramatis personae, like the fiery JNU student leaders, are no longer prominent on the stage. They have been relegated by the inevitable return to business-as-usual, yes, but also by the sound and spectacle of the BJP’s electoral victories, especially and most recently in Uttar Pradesh.
The Gandhis are another powerful personalities ruling over Indian politics for more than 6 decades have managed to maintain their positions with the very fractional move. Sonia and Rahul have just moved from 5 to 9 and from 9 to 10, respectively. But there is a settled stolid dullness to their ranking, especially when you contrast it with the blistering trajectory of Yogi Adityanath, a new entrant at No. 8, or Himanta Biswa Sarma who left the Congress to become powerful in the BJP, and who is also a new entry in the list, at 37. Nitish Kumar, who had seemed for a while last year to be the emerging rallying point for anti-BJP forces, has receded only from 12 to 13, but in his case, the rungs he hasn’t climbed are more telling.
According to the reports, all those who are on the list are there because of their brand names and office positions they are enjoying at the moment. But the rise in the list of Chief Justice Khehar, from 41 to 4, and the entry of Dipak Misra at 15 and Justice Lodha at 78, owes more to their institution (the judiciary) At a time when other checks and balances on concentrated executive power are waning. How these individuals act on their institutions, steer their course, will determine their ranking on next year’s list.
HERE IS THE LIST OF TOP 50 MOST POWERFUL INDIANS (CLICK NEXT PAGE AT BOTTOM)
RANK 1 – Narendra Damodardas Modi, 66
Prime Minister of India | (Rank 2016: 1)
THE REASON
Because nearly three years into his term, he remains the unchallenged Number 1. Because under him, the BJP looks unstoppable, forcing the Opposition to continually play catch-up. Every key move the Modi government makes — from surgical strikes to demonetisation — is done in his name. Under him, the Prime Minister’s Office wields almost absolute power, inviting awe and criticism in equal measure. His relentless campaigning fuelled the party’s sweep in Uttar Pradesh, setting the stage for 2019. His constant communication underlines the power of his politics.
THE WORK
Demonetisation. Its economics may have been suspect but its politics was pure gold. He proved his critics wrong and projected the hugely disruptive note ban as a transformational reform that people must support for the greater good. And they did.
THE FUTURE
Halfway into his term, he’s looking beyond 2019. Economy and employment, rising expectations of the young remain his key challenges at home that will also define his place in the world.
By the way
NOTE: He loves photography, shoots a lot and always directs photographers even as he poses for them.
COMING NEXT ON RANK 2 AMIT SHAH
RANK 2 – Amit Shah, 52
BJP President | (Rank 2016: 3)
THE REASON
He pushes the RSS chief down one rank because he has established himself as the BJP’s trump card. Despite the criticism over his style of functioning, Shah has proved he is the most effective strategist, whether in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra or Manipur. He not only led the party to historic victories in UP and Uttarakhand by stitching together a new social coalition, but also choreographed the BJP takeover of Goa and Manipur.
THE WORK
Shah stuck to his handpicked candidates for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, including some who joined the party on the eve of the release of the list.
THE FUTURE
Elections in Gujarat later this year. He realises the party’s performance here is tied to his prestige as well as that of the PM.
NOTE: He has been on a strict weight-loss programme and has already lost over 15 kg.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 3 MOHAN BHAGWAT
RANK 3 – Mohan Bhagwat, 52
RSS sarsanghchalak | (Rank 2016: 2)
THE REASON
Without rocking any boats, like in the Atal Bihari Vajpai years, he has ensured that the RSS and the BJP government remain in step and in sync. Despite the rebellion in the Goa unit and some swayamsevaks carping over tickets in UP and Uttarakhand, Bhagwat’s Sangh has emerged as the perfect foil to the Modi government.
THE WORK
His public disagreements are keenly heard. For instance, his disapproval of the draft education policy prompted the Centre to review it.
THE FUTURE
To push the RSS agenda on triple talaq and empowerment of Dalits and other backward classes, especially in southern states.
NOTE: Finds time to watch movies with close friends from Nagpur.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 4 J S KHEHAR
RANK 4 – J S Khehar, 64
Chief Justice of India | (Rank 2016: 41)
THE REASON
With the judiciary and the executive locked in a struggle over delay in appointments to the higher judiciary and a new Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), the CJI, who heads the collegium that clear the names of judges for high courts and the apex court, plays a key role. Besides, he will hear all important PILs in the Supreme Court.
THE WORK
The SC collegium under him has stood its ground, virtually rejecting every contentious clause that the Modi government wanted in the new MoP.
THE FUTURE
He is expected to head the Constitution bench that will decide the validity of Aadhaar and the contours of the right to privacy.
NOTE: He often refers to his wife as ‘Sher Khan’ and ‘Tiger’.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 5 AJIT DOVAL
RANK 5 – Ajit Doval, 72
National Security Advisor | (Rank 2016: 18)
THE REASON
Because he is the most important bureaucrat in the Modi government. He has the Prime Minister’s ear on everything, from foreign policy and the challenges of terror to negotiations with the Naga rebels.
THE WORK
Following the public announcement of the surgical strikes in PoK last November, he is said to have controlled the flow of information and played a key role in shaping the narrative.
THE SECRET
To quickly gauge the Trump administration and work on common areas so that New Delhi is able to tap into the new Washington.
NOTE: Still responds to every single soldierly salutation in his office with a loud and brisk “vishraam, araam se”.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 6 ARUN JAITLEY
RANK 6 – Arun Jaitley, 64
Union Finance Minister | (Rank 2016: 4)
THE REASON
The effective No 2 in the Modi cabinet, Jaitley has the task of steering the economy towards higher growth amid a slowdown resulting from demonetisation. With Manohar Parrikar heading to Goa, Jaitley holds additional charge of the crucial defence ministry.
THE WORK
After a series of hectic negotiations with states and political parties, Jaitley was able to get the Constitutional amendment related to GST passed by Parliament. A crucial indirect tax reform, consensus on which once seemed impossible, GST is likely to be implemented from July 1.
THE FUTURE
Improving the country’s tax base and ensuring that people stay the course on digital transactions.
NOTE: He is on very friendly terms with Captain Amarinder Singh, the man who defeated him in the bitterly fought Amritsar Lok Sabha contest.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 7 MUKESH AMBANI
RANK 7 – Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, 59
Chairman, Reliance Industries | (Rank 2016: 5)
THE REASON
Continues to remain the richest Indian with a net worth of Rs 1,75,400 crore (US $26 billion), according to the Hurun Global Rich List. He is now focusing on his telecom venture, Reliance Jio, which is making aggressive plans in the segment, giving established players such as Airtel a run for their money. The group’s sprawling media ownership is now a role model for other corporates.
THE WORK
Jio has secured over 10 crore customers in less than six months.
THE FUTURE
With Jio set to charge customers from April, his next move in the intensely competitive telecom sector will be keenly watched.
NITE: A nature buff, Ambani loves to visit wildlife hotspots such as Kruger National Park in South Africa.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 8 YOGI ADITYANATH
RANK 8 – Yogi Adityanath, 44
Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh | (Rank 2016: New entry)
THE REASON
For being chief minister of India’s most populous state, where the BJP and its allies have come to power with a thumping mandate, winning 325 of 403 seats in the assembly elections. A key Hindutva face of the BJP, he surprised nearly everyone by becoming the party’s choice to lead the state government.
THE WORK
When he pipped about half-a-dozen aspirants to the post of CM. Long seen as the fringe in the state BJP, he now represents the ‘mainstream’.
THE FUTURE
He faces the daunting task of balancing the demands of his office with those of his restive and aggressive supporters. How he does that will decide how effectively the BJP reaps its electoral harvest in UP. The crackdown on meat and the anti-Romeo squads have dominated headlines but the Yogi story is yet to unfold.
NOTE: He is fond of watches. Wears a Rado on his left wrist.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 9 SONIA GANDHI
RANK 9 – Sonia Gandhi, 70
Congress president | (Rank 2016: 5)
THE REASON
Despite her conscious decision to stay away from the limelight and make way for son Rahul, Sonia Gandhi remains the paramount leader of the Congress. The longest-serving president of the Grand Old Party, she is still the last word and the final arbiter in the party. Though her ill health has forced her to curtail her public appearances, she remains accessible to all leaders.
THE WORK
Her strategic absence from the Congress Working Committee meeting, in which her loyalist AK Antony broached the topic of Rahul’s elevation, was a message loud and clear for Rahul baiters to fall in line and reconcile with the new normal.
THE FUTURE
With the party battered at the polls, she could step down as president but will remain the figurehead.
NOTE: She opens all official communication from Congress office bearers and administrative staff all by herself. Also, she personally puts her replies into envelopes and seals them herself.
COMING UP THE NEXT ON RANK 10 RAHUL GANDHI
RANK 10 – Rahul Gandhi, 46
Congress vice-president | (Rank 2016: 9)
THE REASON
With mother Sonia Gandhi taking a back seat, Rahul is now in effective control of the Grand Old Party. With the BJP unlikely to have the numbers in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress remains the fulcrum of any Opposition unity in Parliament.
THE WORK
Even though under him the party has seen a string of electoral reverses, he doesn’t face any major challenge within the party.
THE FUTURE
His long-awaited elevation as Congress president could happen this year.
NOTE: Rahul dabbles in a number of sports. He is a licensed scuba diving instructor, a black belt in Aikido and a squash player. He is currently reading the English translation of the Upanishads.
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