Head of (young) state

AP.J. ABDUL KALAM was so quick and endearing in making the post of the president uniquely his, that at the end of his term it appears to be natural to assume that the constitutional process of choosing the head of state will deliver by the last minute a suitable successor. Such complacency would be dangerous. The presidential elections are currently being seen as simply a contest of strength and wit between the UPA and NDA, with both formations rustling up probables purely on the basis of their capacity to be acceptable to enough MPs and MLAs to take a majority in the electoral college. In this, they misread the mood of the country and the changing role of the president of India. It is extremely important at this juncture for the post to be occupied by someone perceived to be bipartisan, and equally by someone who reflects the forward-looking aspirations of India today.

The need for bipartisanship cannot be emphasised enough in an era of coalitions. Political parties sense this, thus the clamour to get a person into Rashtrapati Bhavan who would be amiable in case of a hung parliament and a consequent competition by various claimants to get first chance to form the government. The ruling and opposition parties sense this, but what they may overlook is the fact that in cases of splintered mandates, it becomes all the more necessary for any coalition formed thereupon to be seen to be absolutely legitimate. There are other presidential powers from which an unwieldy or minority coalition derives legitimacy: in the imposition of president’s rule, for instance, or in getting unambiguous presidential clearance for legislation or appointments that may be contentious in some manner. A purely rubber stamp in the presidential palace would not draw to the government of the day much credibility in these instances.

Even the ceremonial nature of most of the president’s duties requires a man or woman seen to be representative of the country, someone fit and agile enough to engage meaningfully at home and abroad. India is a young country, it is strongly impatient to be quickly on the move. It will not find commonality with a person who finds residence in Rashtrapati Bhavan only on the basis of services and loyalties rendered to political party bosses. In fact, that would instantly alienate the people from the presidency.