Friendship Day 2020: List of Indian Politicians Who Are Also The Best of Friends

New Delhi, August 2: Friendship, the cherished relation that cuts through caste, colour and creed barriers, exists in all realms of life. Even in the imbroglio of Indian politics, a number of contemporary political pairs are known for their bonhomie and alliances to achieve electoral success. On Friendship Day 2020, here is a list of five notable friendships in Indian politics.

Narendra Modi and Amit Shah

PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah (Photo Credits: PTI)

The most dominant leadership pair, not only in the current political scenario but arguably in the history of independent India's politics, is that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Their ascent within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was parallel.

During his days as the Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi trusted Shah as his topmost lieutenant. Their ties deepened as Modi jumped to the national centrestage. Shortly before Modi was announced as the prime ministerial candidate under massive pressure from cadre, the party also chose to hand over the reigns of BJP to Shah.

During the first stint of NDA government, Shah headed the BJP, whereas, Modi presided over the Centre-ruling regime. After the 2019 general elections victory, Modi decided to appoint Shah as his closest aide in the government, by authorising him with the charge of Home Ministry.

Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia

Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with his deputy Manish Sisodia (Photo Credit: IANS/File)

Two right to information (RTI) activists joined hands for the movement against graft and lack of transparency in the government. Their alliance turned stronger during the Anna Hazare agitation of 2011. It further strengthened with the formation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2012, with both listed as the founding members. The two men are Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.

Following the shock results in 2013 Delhi polls, Kejriwal was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Sisodia as a Member of his Cabinet. After the landslide win in 2015, Sisodia was appointed as first-ever Deputy CM of Delhi. The same strategy was repeated by Kejriwal after the victory in 2020 assembly elections - which proved that Sisodia to this date remains his most trusted political aid and, in his own words, "a close friend".

Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar With Dy CM Sushil Modi | (Photo Credits: PTI/File)

Another CM-Deputy CM pair known for their close friendship is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Dy CM Sushil Kumar Modi. In this case, both the leaders belong to two different parties. While Nitish heads the Janata Dal (United), Sushil is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

They first joined hands in 2005, when the BJP-JD(U) alliance came to power in the state. They led the government for eight consecutive years, till Nitish walked out of the NDA after Narendra Modi was projected as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Sushil, despite turning into an opposition leader, was known for respecting Nitish. In 2017, when the JD(U) decided to break free from the Congress-RJD alliance and re-join the saffron camp, Sushil was once again entrusted as the Deputy CM of the state.