4. L.K. Advani, 82
Leader of Opposition
Why
The man credited with building the BJP into a potent political brand finally has his best chance to be prime minister, if the BJP-led NDA is voted to power in the coming elections.
Power punch
Advani changed Indian politics with the original Rathyatra in 1990. Love him or hate him, he proved to be a game changer. Advani, who had been written off after he fell out with the RSS on the Jinnah issue and stepped down from active politics to write his biography, has made a comeback as the NDA’s prime ministerial candidate.
What next
The octogenarian will spend the next few months impressing upon young India that after six decades in public life, his is an idea whose time has come. He will take out sankalp yatras and tour college campuses around the country.

5. Pranab Mukherjee, 73
External Affairs Minister
Why
When the clouds of war were gathering over the subcontinent, he showed grit in dealing with Pakistan. He is known as Congress’s Mr Fix-it. Mukherjee, who is the oldest and most experienced member in the Cabinet, stepped into the Finance Minister’s role when the Prime Minister fell ill. He chairs 50-odd GoMs.
Power punch
After the Mumbai attacks, when he spoke to his counterparts in other countries, he got their support to fight terrorism. Back in September, he worked the phones and made a crucial commitment to solicit support from the 45 countries in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.
What next
He will play a key role in the Congress and the government, if the UPA comes back to power after the general election.

... contd.