Political Diary
New Delhi, 23 June 2012
Pranab Right Choice
But…
CRUCIAL ISSUES
REMAIN UNANSWERED
By Poonam I Kaushish
Political campaigns are designedly made into emotional
orgies which try to distract attention from real issues. This adage rings true looking
at the political shenanigans in the on-going Presidential election. A pot
boiler of close door Machiavellian quid-pro-qous
deals, smacking of feigned hurt,
parochialism et al. Reducing it to cross between a popularity contest and a
debate, with an encyclopedia of clichés thrown in!
Sadly, in a milieu wherein this Presidential poll is being
viewed as a precursor to the likely realignment of political forces, ahead of
the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Parties are thriving by exploiting the communal,
caste, creed and region cards to garner votes and expand its share on India's
political map.
Undisputedly, with numbers stacked for UPA candidate Pranab
Mukherjee, the poll has been reduced to a one-horse race vis-à-vis his BJD-AIADMK- BJP-Akali rival Purno Sangma, yet it has
raised some basic issues regarding the election of India’s Head of State. Questions
which may become crucial in the emerging trend of coalition Governments,
fractured polity and growth of regional Parties.
Namely, should the President be elected on a Party basis?
Two, should caste consideration weigh in selecting the Presidential candidate?
Three, should the President be indebted to political Parties for his election?
Take the first, why should the electorate for the President’s
office be required to vote on Party lines and be reduced to a game of
one-upmanship, egos and majority power, Pranab’s 80% majority to Sangma’s 3.10
lakh votes. That this has been the practice in earlier elections is no excuse.
Shockingly, starting with the Mamata-Mulayam Abdul Kalam
bombshell, down Congress lobbing Mukherjee and striking a midnight deal with
Mulayam who back-stabbed both Mamata and Kalam, to the bratty and churlish BJP
hooting for BJD-AIADMK candidate former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Sangma simply
because the Congress did not consult it earlier smacks of nothing but inane and
dirty politics. Notwithstanding, by doing so the Hindutva brigade has cut its
nose to spite its face with both the JD(U) and Shiv Sena backing Pranabda.
True, Parties have every right to search, select and elect
the best person as President by advising, canvassing and persuading their
respective elected MPs and MLAs. But there should be no compulsions or
pressures. The Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Act, 1952,
specifically prohibits the exercise of ‘undue influence’ in such elections. In
fact, Section 13 of the Act expressedly makes the commission of offence of
‘undue influence’ as an offence under Section 171 of the IPC. As also, a
specific ground on which the election of the President/Vice President could be
challenged.
On the issue of the Presidential candidate’s credentials, India has
traversed a long way. From being an Indian citizen 61 years ago, it has now
percolated down to various isms: caste, creed or region. True, the practice of
having the two highest offices adorned by persons from the North and South is
healthy, but certainly not at the cost of compromising on the best qualified
persons to hold them.
Undeniably, Mukherjee is eminently qualified to be the
country’s 13th President. A scholar-turned-politician who became a Central
Minister in Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet, he has served subsequent Congress Prime
Ministers capping 45-years run in politics. Politically savvy exuding earthy
humility, robust commonsense and good humour he has won friends across the
political spectrum.
Alas, Pranabda’s impeccable credentials are being
overshadowed by the umbrella of regional parochialism. Bengali Mukherjee’s versus North-Eastern and tribal Sangma. For
reasons best known to it, the Congress is highlighting his Bengali identity to
create an impression that Bengalis, read Mamata’s Trinimool by not endorsing
Mukherjee’s candidature would be going against the Bengali sentiment.
Sangma too is busy trumpeting his dual identity of being a
tribal leader and Christian and calling for a “conscience vote.” How will
making tribal Sangma the President alleviate the tribals’ lot and annihilate
all their pain and suffering? It’s all very well to grant reservations in jobs
and legislatures, but to use this right for the Presidential office is
offensive. It tantamounts to retreating into the past under the garb of
promoting inclusiveness in our democracy.
Indeed, if Mukherjee is just a Bengali and Sangma only a
tribal Christian why should others with different identities support them? Thus
in this all pervasive culture, our Presidents have come to be slotted and
remembered not for their wisdom but as being South-Indian, Muslim, Brahmin,
Dalit, woman and now belonging to a particular State.
Gone are the days, when people looked upon S
Radhakrishnan as a philosopher statesman not as a Tamilian. Rajendra
Prasad was never called a Bihari but known as a freedom fighter against British
colonial rule. Neither was Kalam viewed as a Muslim but a great scientist who
took India’s
defence capabilities to new heights.
Lastly, should a President be seen to be beholden to any
Party? Not at all. The Constitution is
clear: The President has to be above Party politics to discharge his functions
as per the Statute, and not follow the diktat of any Party. His position should
not be used as a loyalty test, a reward or compensation. Neither should a
candidate be accused of lobbying with Parties to support his or her
candidature. As once elected he has to shed all political robes and should be
recognized for his statesmanship, integrity, catholicity of mind and
non-sectarian approach.
Clearly, answers to these issues are vital. The polity has
evolved in a fashion that makes the Presidential office a lot more than
ceremonial with minority Governments, post-poll coalitions coupled with the
fickle loyalty of politicians who keep everything in a flux. Remember, AIADMK’s
Jayalalitha cheethi aayee hai drama
in the late nineties.
In sum, it is high time the institutional sanctity of the
office is safeguarded. The country wants a President of the highest personal
integrity, who adheres to the spirit of the Constitution, rather than its
letter and acts as the nation’s “conscience-keeper”. He should have the guts to
speak his mind out on matters that concern the aam aadmi and not hesitate to send Bills back to the Cabinet for
reconsideration, in case of disagreement.
In this 24X7 channel age, what India needs is a President
who does not have an ostrich-like
approach, but one who will engage with his Government on issues concerning the
citizens well being and fulfil his Constitutional obligations without fear or
favour.
Pranabda will have to give all it takes to balance the
ever-growing inherent contradiction within our polity. Address basic questions
vital to the growth of India’s nascent democracy. Perhaps revive JP’s call for
a “Partyless democracy”. The country has had enough of tokenisms which hold out
zero benefits for the people. ------ INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature
Alliance)
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