Sharad Pawar

An unpredictable politician, Pawar holds his cards close to his chest, making it very difficult to second guess him or to predict his next move. He has never lost his seat at his hometown Baramati, winning every Lok Sabha election there since 1984. He has served as the chief minister of Maharashtra for four terms and served as a Union Cabinet minister under two prime ministers. A Padma Vibhushan awardee, he remains the undisputed king of Maharashtra''s ''sugar bowl''. One can hate him, respect him, criticize him or worship him, but not ignore him. That is the power of the veteran leader-who is said to be even more dangerous when in the opposition than he was while in government.