Meet the new—and politically correct—powerbrokers in the Congress. The Congress may be sitting pretty on Raisina Hill, with all the occupants of both south and north block—the prime minister, the foreign, defence, finance and home ministers—all from the party. But this has not diminished the importance of 10, Janpath, behind whose high and fortified walls Congress president Sonia Gandhi resides, or 24, Akbar Road, the headquarters of the Congress in New Delhi.

Indeed, in the immediate aftermath of the changes in the Union council of ministers, the crowds that choked the party headquarters each evening—the Congressman's preferred time to pay calls, do business—were an indication of where the real power lay.

If ministers, both newly sworn-in and old, flocked to the party headquarters, so did aspirants for the many party jobs that have just fallen vacant and those that might after seven new governors are appointed.

If the party remains paramount, who is important in the party now, that is, after Sonia Gandhi? Of course, her political secretary ...

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