28. Digvijay Singh, 62
AICC General Secretary
Why
Ever since his party’s defeat in the 2003 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Singh has been in self-imposed political exile. But the two-time chief minister has redefined ‘exile’. He has consistently attracted the spotlight, most recently in his job of putting the Congress organisation in shape in Uttar Pradesh and negotiating an alliance with the SP in UP.
Power punch
In 1994, Madhya Pradesh became the first state to introduce the Panchayati Raj system, Singh, as chief minister, confessed that resource crunch had made the devolution of power necessary. But it was a pioneering move and Singh’s political image still benefits from it.
What next
In 2009, he must improve the party’s showing on its own or through an alliance with the SP in a crucial state.

29. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, 64
West Bengal Chief Minister
Why
Eleven years after he took over West Bengal, he remains the “capitalist communist” who can deliver on the promise of a new Bengal—despite the setbacks of Nandigram and the Nano pullout. He is also one of the few comrades who can be at odds with the party line and get away with it.
Power punch
In the 2006 state elections, the Buddha-led Left Front stormed the 294-member Assembly, grabbing absolute majority with 235 seats. And he got the Politburo to agree to the new reform agenda—the transition from agriculture to industry.
What next
Bengal’s future depends on how Buddha tackles Nandigram and the post-Nano-pullout scenario. He would facilitate implementation of projects, which are valued at about Rs 1 lakh crore.

... contd.