Political editor Priya Sahgal profiles fourteen Gen-Next political leaders under the age of fifty-five. How do they shape their politics in the Age of Modi where the axis of politics revolves around one man?


The Contenders captures an intriguing churn in the Indian leadership paradigm. There has been a generational change of guard in most political parties, from the north to the south. Most are pedigreed dynasts whose inheritance has been challenged by the biggest disrupter of them all. Can Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal and Omar Abdullah consolidate and conquer? Will Rahul break out of his existential chakravyuha, caught between destiny and destination? How are Sachin Pilot and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pitching their politics in a party where (individual) power is poison? Will Sachin's pilot project take off?

What about the BJP's second rung? Is Yogi Adiyanath's rise and rise part of a plan, or is he the genie unleashed? What is it about Himanta Biswa Sarma that makes him indispensable to whichever party he belongs to? Can Jyotiraditya Scindia and Anurag Thakur maintain their momentum and panache in a very competitive BJP?

With the Congress battling decline, never has the role of regional parties been more crucial, specially within the opposition. What he lacks in numbers, Arvind Kejriwal makes up for in gumption as he takes Modi on, headline for headline. Both Akhilesh and Tejashwi are reinventing themselves, looking beyond their traditional party base, while Asadduddin Owaisi remains a Prime Time warrior. Milind Deora and Jayant Chaudhary have renegotiated their politics, made some new friends and antagonised the old. What are the new rules of engagement in the Modified Game of Thrones?

This is a book that listens, but does not judge. As a senior political journalist, Priya has interacted with most of them since their political debut; as she chronicles conversations that bring out their strengths, weaknesses and quirks. The style is easy and conversational, the portraits sharp and engaging.

Within these pages you are likely to meet a future prime minister, a couple of chief ministers, several cabinet ministers and one not so reluctant fundamentalist. Do they have what it takes to lead India tomorrow? This book can help you decide.