Zehavasdad- today’s gedolim are very involved in politics, at least in Israel, not by serving in the government, but by choosing and instructing representatives of the chareidi parties.
R’ Ovadya was head of Shas, which was started as per R’ Shach’s recommendations.
Chariedi MKs always consulted with R’ Elyashiv and then R’ Shteinman before they voted. Even non-chareidi MKs and ministers would meet with them.
So the Gadol Hador/leader needs to have a lot of characteristics: Talmid Chochom, exemplary middos, major posek, a person of action, far-reaching insight to make political and hashkafic decisions that affect the klal.
Saying someone is the Gadol Hador does not contradict the fact that there will be communities that follow different gedolim. Sefardim will have their Gadol, American and Israeli Jews will generally each follow the local gedolim, and for chassidim, ultimately the final word is with their Rebbe. But still, all groups will recognize the greatness of the one known as the Gadol Hador.
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