Latest edition of Priya Sahgal's ‘The Contenders’ launched in Delhi

Delhi witnessed the launch of the latest edition of ‘The Contenders’ by Priya Sahgal at the India International Centre. A packed house saw a repartee between Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi (two-term Rajya Sabha MP, Senior Advocate, Author & INC National Spokesperson), Ram Madhav (National Executive Member, RSS, President, India Foundation & Author) & Pavan Varma (Diplomat & Author).

On the theme of ‘who are the next generation of India’s political leaders’, Dr. Singhvi’s list was Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Yogi Adityanath. ‘Very few people have natural leadership qualities, Priyanka Gandhi is an instinctive leader, a natural’, he told the audience in a panel discussion moderated by the author Priya Sahgal

Pawan Varma said, ‘Leadership potential is essential, but untested contenders must navigate the delicate balance between optimism and realism’.

For Ram Madhav, the new political era was one of ‘decisive leadership and a dominant idea. PM Modi is no doubt that decisive leader, the BJP has the dominant idea and don’t forget that in the one million or so polling booths in India, BJP has polling teams in more than eight hundred thousand. There is not only leadership but great organisational strength’.

‘This is about finding out who are the contenders and who are the pretenders,’ said Priya Sahgal.

The event was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma who said ‘Priya is no doubt an insightful and longstanding political journalist, her book will be a compelling read for all interested in modern Indian politics’. The book launch saw a host of politicians, diplomats and captains of industry with all the books available at the venue sold out.

The author, Priya Sahgal is a Senior Editor and Political talk show host. The book profiles sixteen emerging political leaders (under the age of fifty-five) who will dominate India’s political landscape over the next decade.

‘The Contenders ’captures a potentially transformative moment in Indian politics, as new leaders step up in a generational change-of-guard in most political parties. From the north to the south, this is a flashbulb moment of baton passing -- with Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, the Badal Juniors and Karunanidhi’s heirs taking charge. While others like Omar Abdullah and Arvind Kejriwal seek to consolidate and conquer. Priya has interacted extensively with most of them, since their political debut. How will they play their cards in the Age of PM Modi where the axis of politics revolves him? The book chronicles conversations and draws out characters with all their strengths and vulnerabilities.