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Then and now: Can you recognise these famous politicians?
These politicians are well-known in public and they attract a lot of media attention for their position and their leadership roles. Most Indians will recognise these personalities by just looking at their current photographs. But can you identify them by seeing the pictures of their younger days? Take a look at photographs of politicians in their younger days and see how many you can recognise

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The cousins seen here went on to chose different political paths. Yet they remain highly relevant in their state. Pic/YouTube Screengrab
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Uddhav Thackeray, son of the late Balasaheb Thackeray, is the chief of the Shiv Sena. In 2002, his party won the BMC elections.

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Uddhav Thackeray, son of the late Balasaheb Thackeray, is the chief of the Shiv Sena. In 2002, his party won the BMC elections.
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Uddhav's cousin Raj Thackeray serves as President of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and current chairperson and leader of Shiv Sena. The late Bal Thackeray is his uncle

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The young boy seen here went on to become one of the youngest Chief Ministers of his state. He remains popular and non-controversial. Pic/YouTube Screengrab
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The young boy seen here went on to become one of the youngest Chief Ministers of his state. He remains popular and non-controversial. Pic/YouTube Screengrab

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Devendra Fadnavis, who is the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, began his political career as a college student for ABVP. He became the second youngest CM of Maharashtra and has since been steadily rising the ranks of the BJP
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Devendra Fadnavis, who is the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, began his political career as a college student for ABVP. He became the second youngest CM of Maharashtra and has since been steadily rising the ranks of the BJP

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The woman seen in this picture later turned out to be one of the strongest leaders the country has seen. She is often dubbed the 'queen' of social media
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The woman seen in this picture later turned out to be one of the strongest leaders the country has seen. She is often dubbed the 'queen' of social media

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Sushma Swaraj, who currently serves as India's External Affairs Minister was seen in the earlier picture along with her husband Governor Swaraj and popular emergency-era activist Jayaprakash Narayan
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Sushma Swaraj, who currently serves as India's External Affairs Minister was seen in the earlier picture along with her husband Governor Swaraj and popular emergency-era activist Jayaprakash Narayan

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This beautiful young woman became a key pillar of India's by-gone first family. She is the former President of one of the biggest political parties in India
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Sonia Gandhi took over as the Indian National Congress party leader in 1998, seven years after her husband Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, and remained in office for nineteen years. Born in a small village in Italy, she was married to Rajeev Gandhi in 1968

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The young boy can be easily identified by his politically famous parents. He is currently the President of the Indian National Congress
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The young boy can be easily identified by his politically famous parents. He is currently the President of the Indian National Congress

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The child is none other than Rahul Gandhi. The baby seen in his mother's arms in the previous photo is Rahul's sister, Priyanka Vadra
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The leader seen here rose to the ranks of the Union Cabinet. He is seen as a highly knowledgeable visionary, who has taken major steps to reform India's economy. Pic/Youtube Screengrab

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The leader seen here rose to the ranks of the Union Cabinet. He is seen as a highly knowledgeable visionary, who has taken major steps to reform India's economy. Pic/Youtube Screengrab
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Arun Jaitley currently serves as Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of India. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2009-2014. He is also a senior advocate at the Supreme Court

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Arun Jaitley currently serves as Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of India. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2009-2014. He is also a senior advocate at the Supreme Court
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This young boy turned out to be one of the most popular leaders of modern India. Rising on his own merit, he detached from his personal life to put India first. He is seen here posing as a member of the NCC cadet. Pic/Youtube Screengrab

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This young boy turned out to be one of the most popular leaders of modern India. Rising on his own merit, he detached from his personal life to put India first. He is seen here posing as a member of the NCC cadet. Pic/Youtube Screengrab
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The young man is none other than the 14th and current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Like his attachment to the NCC, the Prime Minister has stayed true to his party throughout his career.

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The young man is none other than the 14th and current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Like his attachment to the NCC, the Prime Minister has stayed true to his party throughout his career.
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This young leader remains among the few politicians who do not belong to either Congress or BJP. Pic/Youtube Screengrab

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Famous for his leadership in Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav is currently part of state's Opposition parties. He has served as both a Union minister, as well as, the Chief Minister of Bihar during his career.
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Seen here was a man who went on to become one of India's most cherished political leaders. During his time, he took several tough, yet appropriate decisions.

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Seen here was a man who went on to become one of India's most cherished political leaders. During his time, he took several tough, yet appropriate decisions.
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Atal Bihari Vajpayee was India's Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004. He passed away in August 2018 at the age of 93

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Atal Bihari Vajpayee was India's Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004. He passed away in August 2018 at the age of 93
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The charismatic politician is quite a fearless one. Following the strict tenets of the law, she has captures the hearts of many across the country. Pic/Youtube Screengrab

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The charismatic politician is quite a fearless one. Following the strict tenets of the law, she has captures the hearts of many across the country. Pic/Youtube Screengrab
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Mamata Banerjee is the current and 8th Chief Minister of West Bengal. Beginning her political career in the Congress party, Banerjee has in the past served as the Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Development. She is the current leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)

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Mamata Banerjee is the current and 8th Chief Minister of West Bengal. Beginning her political career in the Congress party, Banerjee has in the past served as the Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Development. She is the current leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)
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The young man sitting (second from the left) went on to be one of India's most charismatic representatives. He is seen here in an interview with Indira Gandhi in March 1975. He later wrote about this encounter in his book 'India from Midnight to the Millennium'. Pic Courtesy/Twitter

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The young man sitting (second from the left) went on to be one of India's most charismatic representatives. He is seen here in an interview with Indira Gandhi in March 1975. He later wrote about this encounter in his book 'India from Midnight to the Millennium'. Pic Courtesy/Twitter
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Shashi Tharoor, who was seen in the earlier picture sitting across Indira Gandhi, went on to be an influential diplomat in the United Nations. He formerly served as an MP from Thiruvananthapuram for the Congress party. He is seen here with his two sons Kanishk and Ishaan Tharoor

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Shashi Tharoor, who was seen in the earlier picture sitting across Indira Gandhi, went on to be an influential diplomat in the United Nations. He formerly served as an MP from Thiruvananthapuram for the Congress party. He is seen here with his two sons Kanishk and Ishaan Tharoor
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This young man rose to obtain the highest leadership position in the country. Pic/Youtube Screengrab

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Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012-2017. He was seen in the earlier photo along with his wife Suvra Mukherjee
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Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012-2017. He was seen in the earlier photo along with his wife Suvra Mukherjee

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This stunning model turned out to be one of India's iron-willed political leaders. Through sheer hard work, she rose to the ranks of the Union Cabinet
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This stunning model turned out to be one of India's iron-willed political leaders. Through sheer hard work, she rose to the ranks of the Union Cabinet

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Smriti Irani is a leader with a force. Currently serving as the Information and Broadcasting minister, she has also had a career in the modelling world and Bollywood.
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Smriti Irani is a leader with a force. Currently serving as the Information and Broadcasting minister, she has also had a career in the modelling world and Bollywood.

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The selfless soldier seen here comes from a family of leaders. After his stint in the Indian Army, he went on to become the Chief Minister of his state. Pic/Twitter
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The selfless soldier seen here comes from a family of leaders. After his stint in the Indian Army, he went on to become the Chief Minister of his state. Pic/Twitter

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75-year old Captain Amarinder Singh is currently the 26th Chief Minister of Punjab. He is one of the most respected leaders in the Congress party.
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75-year old Captain Amarinder Singh is currently the 26th Chief Minister of Punjab. He is one of the most respected leaders in the Congress party.

