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 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