Yearend

Today being the last day of the year 2019, I am looking back  at what happened during this year. In my today’s blog I am writing about the Indian Politicians who were in the news during this year. Here are politicians who mattered in 2019

At No 10 are Jagan Mohan Reddy and MK Stalin : On the basis of last Lok Sabha  elections, both YSR Congress boss Jagan Mohan Reddy and DMK supremo MK Stalin, have acquired even more influence and power in the Indian Political field. YSR Congress swept the 2019 Andhra assembly elections and general elections of 2019, by winning 151 out 175 seats in assembly and 22 out of 25 parliamentary seats. The DMK won 38 seats in the lok sabha, which made then 3^rd largest party in Lok Sabha, behind BJP & Congress. The influence that both these leaders have made them as top Indian leaders who matter.

9 Asaduddin Owaisi : He has emerged as a big Muslim political leader, so much so that all the so-called ‘secular’ political parties accuse him of being hand in glove with the BJP to divide the Muslim vote bank which eventually helps the BJP. But Owaisi brings a very different brand of politics to the table. He makes no bones about fighting for the rights of the Muslim community and his party has taken an openly anti-Hindu stance — although he hates to admit it. A gifted orator and leader, he is a shrewd, smart and popular politician. He has managed to grab people’s attention well beyond his voters and continues to grow from strength to strength. He’s among India’s most influential politicians.

8 Yogi Adityanath : BJP leader and present CM of the biggest state UP. He was mainly responsible of BJP’s 60+ seats for Lok sabha from UP. He is very popular as CM of the state, and he is very tough task master, who is able to streamline the police force in the state to certain extent. He does not deny his hindutva ideology, but as Modi, he also professes ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.

7 Sonia Gandhi: She is Congress President and Chairperson of UPA, She is the cementing factor that binds the Congress and allies together. Having been the force and power behind when Manmohan Singh was PM from 2004 to 2014. In between due to indifferent health she passed on the rein of party to her son Rahul Gandhi, but after the debacle of Congress in 2019 general elections, Rahul resigned and she was back as head of Congress. Congressmen feels as long as they have Sonia Gandhi for guidance and advice, the party can always hope for revival.

6 Mamta Banerjee :  The CM of West Bengal is a major political force in the country. She suffered a mild set back in last general elections when BJP made huge inroads in her state, but she still remains a tall opposition leader. She is known by her never say die attitude, which makes her respected leader. In the recent times she has shown unprecedented support to Muslim voters and also protects Bangladeshi illegal Muslim migrants who have crossed border. In the last general elections  , she was the top choice for PM ‘s post for the opposition parties.

5 Rajnath Singh : A BJP stalwart, who is presently Defence Minister. He has been twice President of BJP. He maintains low key profile, but is a no nonsense and much respected leader. Under his watch as Home Minister (in Modi 1), India did not face a terror attack outside J&K and Punjab. He was earlier CM of UP, Agricultural minister at centre. He is an efficient and experience senior statesman of govt and party.

4 Rahul Gandhi : he was earlier President of Congress party who resigned from presidentship after Congress’s debacle in last general election, still he continues to remain a political heavyweight in Indian politics. The party, which is currently grappling with the existential crisis and hunting for new youth leader, but the fact is Congressmen always look to Gandhis at the time of crisis knowing that they can hold party together. The party still has a huge base all over India, and many Congressmen still think he will eventually come back as Head of Congress party.

3 Nirmala Sitharaman : She is the current Finance Minister in Modi 2 govt. In the earlier govt she held the Commerce and Defence portfolio. Her rise is described as meteoric –from party spokesperson to the current post. She has handled each of her responsibilities with grace and efficiency. She is a role model for many a women in the male dominated political arena. With the Indian economy on thin ice and headed for  major downturn, she will be watched by all.

2 Amit Shah : He is president of BJP and currently handles the Home Ministry in union cabinet. He is indisputably the second most powerful politician in the country. He is PM Modi’s must trusted aide. Shah is feared and respected equally, with his party men calling him as Chankya, and his detractors calling him ruthless and some time even worse. He is the man who was the front man of BJP during triple talaq bill,  removal of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir and Citizen amendment Bill  (CAB).

1 Narendra Modi : having won a second term as PM with an even bigger mandate than the first time. The charismatic PM is the clearly the most powerful politician of the country. He has been behind many momentous policy decision such as scrapping Article 370 in J & K, demonetising large value currency notes, implementing GST, attack on Pak terrorist camps through surgical strikes, triple talaq bill and CAB and many more. He has proven time and again that he is a fearless and decisive leader and will go down in history as one of India’s greatest leader.

Awaiting your views/feed backs/comments.

After I started writing Blogs in Mid 2017, today’s blog which I wrote is Blog No. 553.

WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020.

Anil Malik