6 incredible Indian political jodis - Guess who's on top?
What's the story
Politics is futile without relationships, some honest while many superficial.
However shrewd a politician may be, he or she shall always need a friend who will help them walk the path they have chosen.
Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru shared such deep friendship that today is a subject of both admiration and criticism.
Let's unveil 6 notable political jodis that stand out.
Chacha-Bhatija
6. Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray
Raj Thackeray, the controversial politician from Maharashtra would have been nothing without his uncle Balasaheb Thackeray.
Raj and Balashaheb spent significant amount of time together. Raj's admiration for his uncle is reflected in his mannerism. Even, Shiv Sena workers saw that, and intrinsically wanted him to lead the party.
This created rift between Raj and cousin Uddhav, son of Balasaheb, leading to Raj quitting Shiv Sena in 2006.
Powerful duo
5. Mayawati and Kanshi Ram
Mayawati rose from the dirt of poverty to the prestige of chief minister-ship. She wanted to become an IAS officer, but Kanshi Ram, founder of the Bahujan Samajwadi party insisted her to be an activist.
Kanshi Ram guided her to pursue politics. He told her she could do more for people in politics than she could ever do as an IAS officer.
Rest, as they say, is history.
Dostana
4. Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia
On the political turf, Kejriwal-Sisodia duo defeated the mighty BJP and the Congress in Delhi, a stepping stone for their political careers.
Be it before elections or after elections, they both have been inseparable.
So much so that when Kejriwal went to meet PM Modi, Sisodia accompanied him, just like any other good friend would do for his nervous partner in crime.
Disciple
3. Sonia Gandhi and Ahmed Patel
Patel, referred to as Ahmed bhai, is a close aide and adviser to Sonia Gandhi. In his book, 'The Accidental Prime Minister', Sanjaya Baru revealed that all political communication between Sonia and Manmohan Singh were passed through Patel.
Patel's importance for Congress was evident from the recently held Gujarat Rajya Sabha election. His win was certainly a prestige issue for Congress.
Dosti
2. Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani
PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani together helped the BJP expand its base across the country. Their friendship is celebrated even now.
When Vajpayee was the PM, anyone who went to him for work would hear, "Advani ji se baat ho gai hai? Kar lo ek baar."
"This kind of mitrata, where can it be found, where does it exist?" Advani once wrote.
Jai-Veeru
1. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah
No other Indian political jodi has been as prudent and successful as Modi-Shah.
It was in 1990s, that Shah, while sitting in a restaurant near Ahmedabad railway station, told Modi: "Narendrabhai, get ready to become Prime Minister of India." Ironically, Modi wasn't even a chief minister then.
Both have the dream of "Congress-mukt bharat" close to their hearts and evidently, are heading towards it.