Out of power, many Congress leaders resort to academics, law

Out of power and not much political assignment in hand, many former UPA ministers or leaders are resorting to academics and participating in conferences. Some have returned to legal practices or revived NGOs in pursuit of an active professional life.

Out of power and not much political assignment in hand, many former UPA ministers or leaders are resorting to academics and participating in conferences. Some have returned to legal practices or revived NGOs in pursuit of an active professional life.

Ex-foreign minister Salman Khurshid, former law minister Kapil Sibal and former finance minister P Chidambaram are back to Supreme Court, practicing law. All three, considered to be top-notch legal brains, have a surging clients-list in their kitty.

Khurshid, however, had brushed up controversy within the party circles for taking up the role of the defence counsel in Asharam’s cases.

Former rural development minister Jairam Ramesh, a vocal minister during the previous regime, found newer channels of airing his views. He is a visiting professor with Indian School of Business and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Ramesh has also been elected as the chair of Future Earth’s Engagement, a noted global research platform on sustainable development.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, too, is engaged in the academic world. He is a visiting professor with London School of Economics and New York University.

Congress chief whip Sandeep Dikshit, who lost his Lok Sabha seat to the BJP, has revived his NGO and working among Tribals of Madhya Pradesh.

Former defence minister AK Antony spends a large part of his time in home state, Kerala. Former PM Manmohan Singh spends time by mostly reading books. Singh has open offer from many renowned foreign universities for lectures but has not travelled anywhere.