New Delhi:
The Bharatiya Janata Party's Harsh Vardhan, a genial, much-respected medical doctor from east Delhi has been a BJP legislator for the last 20 years. The Congress' Arvinder Singh Lovely for 15.
Neither politician has lost an election in these years. Both have been prominent ministers in the governments of their parties in Delhi.
Never, though, has either enjoyed as much air time on national television and rapt attention around the country as they did this afternoon while participating in a debate on Arvind Kejriwal's trust motion in the Delhi Assembly.
Dr Harsh Vardhan's nearly 50-minute speech attacking AAP and the Congress for knitting what he said was an opportunistic alliance, was relayed without break. As was Mr Lovely's counter-attack on the BJP and reiteration of support for Mr Kejriwal's minority government over 20 minutes.
They have a rookie called Arvind Kejriwal to thank.
The 45-year-old former taxman's unconventional entry into politics has generated unprecedented interest globally and every step that he has taken ever since his year-old party posted a spectacular performance in the Delhi elections last month, has been keenly watched and analysed.
He was criticised the day before by the more seasoned politicians when he rushed out of the Assembly after taking oath as an MLA, for not staying till House proceedings finished. The CM said he had work to do.
Mr Kejriwal is a first time MLA, as are most of the other 27 AAP members of the Delhi House. As chief minister of a minority government, he yesterday demonstrated he has the numbers in the Assembly to govern Delhi.
As seasoned politicians debated over his trust motion, Mr Kejriwal listened carefully. By his side sat his right-hand man and now key minister Manish Sisodia, also a first timer. Mr Sisodia, 41, had moved today's motion.