As finance minister, Manmohan Singh set about liberating the Indian economy, which had been encumbered in controls and red tape over the years. And that action of his quickly made him the darling of the middle classes.

But Dr Singh himself gives credit for the reformation to P V Narasimha Rao. If it hadn't been for Narasimha Rao's solid backing, he has said time and time again, he would have been able to achieve nothing. The prime minister copped the inevitable flak as the reformer went about his task, but he shielded Dr Singh.

He could not do the same, however, for Communication Minister Sukh Ram (seen here at right), another member of his liberalisation team, after he was caught with his hand in the till.

Photograph: Ramesh