FEATURE, INDIA

LIST OF THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN INDIA – PM NARENDRA MODI TOPS THE LIST WHILE YOGI ADITYANATH ENTERS THE LIST OF TOP 10 POSITIONS

The list of top 50 most powerful Indians published by the Indian Express Groups claims that the first three positions of 2016 has 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.

Rajesh Ghadge

Published: 29, Mar 2017

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