36. Mamata Banerjee, 53
Trinamool Congress chief
Why
Though her power has never really been reflected in election mathematics, Mamata Banerjee enjoys popular support throughout Bengal. After Singur and Nandigram, she now wields the power to stall anything and everything in West Bengal.
Power punch
In November last year, she first forced the CPI(M) on the backfoot in Nandigram. Her face-off with the Tatas made the company pull out its factory from Singur to Sanand in Gujarat.
What next
Bolstered by her successes in CPI(M) strongholds in last year’s panchayat elections, Mamata Banerjee now plays a key role in state politics. She is close to forming a grand alliance with the Congress and can throw a formidable challenge to the Left in the ensuing polls.

37. Omar Abdullah, 38
J&K Chief Minister
Why
Apart from being the scion of Kashmir’s first family, he is the youngest-ever Chief Minister of the trouble-torn state. Despite his father Farooq Abdullah, the Congress decided to join the government only on the condition that Omar would be chief minister.
Power punch
His short, but powerful speech during the trust vote for the Manmohan Singh Government had the highest number of hits on YouTube for an Indian lawmaker’s speech in Parliament. His impassioned plea hit home the point that not all Muslims in India were opposed to the nuclear deal.
What next
Governing J&K, when regional distrust between the Jammu and Kashmir regions is at its most pronounced, would be difficult. But what could eventually work in Omar’s favour is his earnestness.

... contd.