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Sonia Gandhi and the people she trusts

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

While an All India Congress Committee general secretary today denied reports that Sonia Gandhi was completely controlled by a coterie of advisors and that all her decisions were influenced by this clutch of people, he also added that the only genuine advisors of Sonia were her children -- Rahul and Priyanka. ''Certain partymen who are working in close cooperation with her have been given specific responsibilities. The party chief, by and large, keeps her distance from misleading counsel and does not encourage palace intrigue,'' he said.

But who are Sonia's advisors? What are their credentials? What has won them a place among madam's favourites? Here's a low-down:

Dr Manmohan Singh: Former finance minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, who is making his debut in the Lok Sabha elections from the prestigious South Delhi constituency, is the party chief's guide on economic affairs. Sonia gave him the party ticket because of his uprightness, honesty and gentlemanly disposition. He is invited to all important meetings and his advice sought on important policy matters.

Ahmad Patel: A Rajya Sabha MP, Patel has been given a room in Sonia's official residence - 10 Janpath. He has been entrusted with managing the party chief's election tours. Patel, who has been a party general secretary since the time of P V Narasimha Rao, has consistently maintained a low profile. But he won Sonia's respect by his deft handling of the AICC's financial matters as the party treasurer.

Janardhan Diwedi: An AICC secretary during Narasimha Rao's tenure, he too has been given a room at 10 Janpath. A senior lecturer in Hindi in Delhi University, he writes Sonia's speeches. It was a speech written by Diwedi which Sonia read at the Talkatora stadium soon after Sharad Pawar, P A Sangma and Tariq Anwar quit the Congress to form their own party - the National Congress Party. The speech was much appreciated.

Ambika Soni: This close confidante of Sanjay Gandhi, was pulled out of the depths of oblivion by Sonia after she became the party chief . She is now a party general secretary in-charge of the North-East. Recently she played an important role in the distribution of tickets in the region. Also a member of the Congress Working Committee, she represents the party on television debates.

Ghulam Nabi Azad: A party general secertary, he is known more for his survival instincts. He enjoyed prominence under Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha rao and even Sitaram Kesri. Now that he has managed to retain himself the post of a party general secretary under Sonia's dispensation, he is said to be biding his time. Currently, he is involved in organising Sonia's election tours.

Madhavrao Scindia: A Rajiv loyalist, Scindia is a close confidante of Sonia too. That is why he has been given, as a party general secretary, charge of important states like Maharashtra and Bihar. Scindia is often called by the party chief for important meetings.

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