MUSICAL CHAIRS OF FAVOURITES

Since 2007, when Rahul Gandhi started taking a keen interest in party politics, his go-to men for political advice have regularly changed

JITENDRA SINGH (2007-2011)

CWC member and general secretary in-charge for Assam. Was never out of favour, but now keeps a low profile; restricted to his constituency since 2014

C.P. JOSHI (2012-2017)

His mishandling of the northeastern states, which he was in charge of, cost him proximity to Rahul

DIGVIJAYA SINGH (2007-2012)

Was once seen as Rahul’s ‘guru’ but gradually lost influence after the party’s 2012 assembly poll defeat in Uttar Pradesh. He was general secretary incharge for the state

MADHUSUDAN MISTRY (2013-2017)

Economic austerity and data-crunching were his USP but he failed to deliver on the ground. Party seniors resented his influence

(2013-2015) MEENAKSHI NATARAJAN (2008-2014)

Was one of Rahul’s young picks. Fell out of favour after the Congress’s 2014 Lok Sabha poll debacle

AJAY MAKEN

Ill health and his own poll defeats had forced him to take a back seat. He is back in favour as CWC member and general secretary incharge for Rajasthan

JAIRAM RAMESH (2008-2014)

Still consulted on policy matters but doesn’t have the influence he did before 2014

ASHOK GEHLOT (2017-2018)

His performance as Gujarat assembly poll in-charge in 2017 had impressed Rahul. As organisational secretary, he got close to the Gandhi scion, who picked him as the Rajasthan chief minister over Sachin Pilot