UPA 2 : When Politics Trumps Institutions

‘I have orders from above.’ When a minister of state (with independent charge) in the union Cabinet says this to his officials, what does it mean? ‘I have the blessings of my leader‘ When the Home Minister of this country is asked a question, “Do you have the confidence of your leader?” after multiple terror attacks, he answers ”I have the blessings of my leader”. So who is the leader that the Home Minister is referring to?