The National Capital witnessed a captivating evening with the release of the latest edition of ‘The Contenders’ book at the India International Centre.
‘This is about finding out who are the contenders and who are the pretenders,’ said Priya Sahgal, the author.
A packed house saw an unmatched repartee between Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi (two-term Rajya Sabha MP, Senior Advocate, Author & INC National Spokesperson), Ram Madhav (National Executive Member, RSS, President, India Foundation & Author) & Pavan Varma (Diplomat & Author).
On the theme of ‘who are the next generation of India’s political leaders’, Dr. Singhvi’s list was Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Yogi Adityanath. ‘Very few people have natural leadership qualities, Priyanka Gandhi is an instinctive leader, a natural’, he told the audience in a panel discussion moderated by the author Priya Sahgal. ‘Of course, the BJP will find it difficult to say that there is any contender till 2047, other than the current PM’, he added.
For Pawan Varma, ‘the Congress is quite optimistic if they think Rahul Gandhi can deliver’, he said while adding that ‘leadership potential is essential, but untested contenders must navigate the delicate balance between optimism and realism’.
For Ram Madhav, the new political era was one of ‘decisive leadership and a dominant idea.
PM Modi is no doubt that decisive leader, the BJP has the dominant idea and don’t forget that in the one million or so polling booths in India, BJP has polling teams in more than eight hundred thousand. There is not only leadership but great organisational strength’.
Further adding, ‘Indira Gandhi’s blunder of imposing emergency showcased India’s resilient democracy where the people ultimately triumph’.
The event was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma who said ‘Priya is no doubt an insightful and longstanding political journalist, her book will be a compelling read for all interested in modern Indian politics’. The book launch saw a host of politicians, diplomats and captains of industry with all the books available at the venue sold out.
The author, Priya Sahgal is a Senior Editor and Political talk show host. The book profiles sixteen emerging political leaders (under the age of fifty-five) who will dominate India’s political landscape over the next decade.
‘The Contenders’ captures a potentially transformative moment in Indian politics, as new leaders step up in a generational change-of-guard in most political parties. From the north to the south, this is a flash bulb moment of baton passing — with Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, the Badal Juniors and Karunanidhi’s heirs taking charge. While others like Omar Abdullah and Arvind Kejriwal seek to consolidate and conquer. Priya has interacted extensively with most of them, since their political debut. How will they play their cards in the age of PM Modi where the axis of politics revolves him?
This is a book that listens but doesn’t judge. The style is easy and conversational, the portraits sharp and engaging. It chronicles conversations and draws out characters with all their strengths and vulnerabilities. Each profile takes you right into their living rooms.
Almost as if you were there, sipping a cup of tea, as you get to know each one’s political dilemmas, personal quirks and unstated ambitions. But also – watch out for signs that reveal their chemistry (or lack of it) with one another.
Within these pages, you are likely to meet a future Prime Minister, a couple of chief ministers, several cabinet ministers, two or three backroom strategists and one not-so-reluctant fundamentalist.