2003, Kalyan Singh: This time it was Prime Minister Vajpayee’s turn to receive a surprise visitor, at his birthday party in Lucknow. Kalyan Singh, who had quit the BJP and called him names after a bitter party feud, bought his peace with a box of sweets. The hero of the Ramjanmabhoomi movement had returned home, but without his sheen.

2004, Sonia Gandhi: Climbing down from her famed ivory tower, Sonia Gandhi called on NCP leader Sharad Pawar in January 2004 in hunt for allies to take on the NDA. Pawar, who had once split from the Congress over Sonia’s foreign origins, gladly returned the favour. Sonia was in, while poor P A Sangma found himself out.

2007, Narendra Modi: A decisive poll win behind him and the dissidents sent scurrying for cover, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi showed he could be gracious in victory. He drove to the residence of key dissident BJP leader Keshubhai Patel on December 25 and sought his blessings. “I congratulate Narendra Modi,” was all that Keshubhai could say.