Since allied forces took control of the country in 2001, Akhund was head of the Rehbari Shura or the leadership council that was responsible for all the decisions of the radical group.
Faced with losing odds, BS Yediyurappa decided to turn it into his "Vajpayee moment." He resigned on the floor of the House, with a promise to come back and sweep the Lok Sabha election next year.
Unafraid to voice his opinions and stick his neck out when most psephologists shy away, Pradeep Bhandari stands out as the young beacon in an ageing profession.