New Delhi: The year 2014 is going to be the most important year for India's prominent politicians and their supporters. Their future depends on their performance in the Lok Sabha elections due in April-May.
From BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, 2014 will be very crucial. Here's a look at what 2014 holds for them.
Narendra Modi: For BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, it is the most important year in his entire life. If he manages to bring the BJP-led NDA to power after 2014 Lok Sabha elections under his leadership, he will be the winner. If he fails, he is unlikely to get a second chance. A victory guarantees the post of Prime Minister. A defeat can even unseat him from the post of Gujarat Chief Minister. Modi has to fight Congress and other regional parties plus AAP to realize his dream of ruling India from the South Block in New Delhi. We will get the answer in another 5 months.
Rahul Gandhi: The 'reluctant' and unofficial prime ministerial candidate of the Congress is facing the most difficult challenge in his 10 year political career. The party's rank and file is rattled by shocking defeat in the recent assembly polls. Scams are also troubling his party. The mood in the grand old party is anything, but confident. The party is forcing him to take the plunge. If he manages to win at least a respectable number of seats in the Lok Sabha polls, he can remain relevant in Indian politics. If he loses, knives will be out and his own party may demand that his sister Priyanka Gandhi must take charge. All eyes are on Rahul Gandhi.
Manmohan Singh: India's third longest serving Prime Minister after Nehru and Indira will most likely fade away from public life after Lok Sabha polls. Even if the UPA returns to power, he is unlikely to get a third term in office. The year - 2014 would be his year of retirement. The saddest part is he is going down as a failure. Manmohan is a lonely figure and not many will actually shed tears for him.
Sonia Gandhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi is shaken. Her party's defeat has made her nervous. A section in the party is forcing her to lead the party instead of asking her son to do it. There has also been a demand for fielding daughter Priyanka Gandhi in the Lok Sabha polls. If Sonia Gandhi manages to prevent the collapse of her party in the polls, she can once again emerge stronger. There are also concerns over her health. Lok Sabha polls outcome will decide her future.
LK Advani: The BJP patriarch is a very unhappy man. He lost the Prime Ministerial candidate post to his own protégé Narendra Modi. The relationship between them has also been soured. If Narendra Modi led BJP comes to power at the Centre, Advani will have to fade away from public life. Modi as PM would be Adavini's end as a leader. If Modi fails, if BJP emerges as the single largest party with 170-180 seats, if the prospective allies back him for the post of PM, the BJP veteran will have a rebirth. But, the odds are staked against him. People close to him say, he will not give up till the last minute!
Mayawati: The BSP Supremo is a clever politician and good at gauging the national mood. Her arch rivals in UP, the Yadavs have messed up the administration and Mayawati is sensing an opportunity for her in the 2014-Lok Sabha polls. She is secretly hoping that the third front will come to power at the Centre and she can throw her hat in the ring for the post of Prime Minister. If she manages to win more than 25-30 seats, there can't be a government without her in New Delhi. She enjoys a greater political flexibility than her bête noire Yadavs and can back or take the support of any political party after the polls.
J Jayalalithaa: The three time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK Supremo is also busy making political calculations. She has snubbed her 'friend' Narendra Modi by refusing to join the NDA. According to her party leaders Amma wants to go solo this time. Her party cadres are projecting her as the next Prime Minister. M Karunanidhi led DMK is on a weak wicket. The Congress is in a shambles. Amma is confident of sweeping Tamil Nadu. If she manages that, like Mayawati, she will also become inevitable in national politics. Nobody understands her mind and moves. One has to wait till May - 2014.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy: The YSR Congress Party chief is now a free bird. The process of creating Telangana state has come as a boon for him. He has already positioned himself as the sole protector of the people of Seemandhra region. The broken Congress is helplessly looking at him with an olive branch. He is in no mood to oblige. Pre-poll surveys are indicating his party's sweep in Seemandhra region. Like Mayawati and Jayalalithaa, Jagan too is hoping that there can't be any government at the Centre without him. He is keeping the cards very close to his chest. If Jagan fails in AP this time, he is unlikely to get a second chance.
Arvind Kejriwal: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister is on a high after his party's victory in Delhi. Kejriwal wants to expand his base and make a mark in the Lok Sabha polls. He is focusing on Haryana, Western UP, Bangalore, Mumbai and other urban areas. If his party manages at least half a dozen seats in the Lok Sabha polls, then there will be no looking back for him. At the same time he has to keep his Delhi government alive and deliver on poll promises. Indian voters get disillusioned easily! No support is permanent!
Nandan Nilekani: The only non-politician in the list who wants to be a politician in 2014 is IITian and co-founder of Infosys Nandan Nilekani. Known as a man of ideas, Nilekani has already distributed Unique Identification Numbers or Aadhaar numbers 53 crore people across India in the last four years. He now wants to face the electorate from Bangalore South on Congress ticket. The Congress will most likely field him. If Nilekani manages to win in his debut election, he will surely be a politician to watch in 2014.
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