Let me examine.
The Congress, by which I mean its reigning queen, decided to field Pranab da and Ansari for the presidential race. Pranab da - as a fixed deposit of self interest in Delhi for the Congress since they fear losing the next elections and Ansari as the good old boring equation of appeasing some section of the electorate. Then, the M&M kingmakers (Read Mamta and Mulayam not Mahindra and Mahindra) turn around and say that they would not support them, but propose the name of the serving Prime Minister of the nation.
For one, the M&M would not second Pranab da. He is a master manipulator with die hard loyalty to Congress and may protect the interest of Congress in a subtle manner from the Rashtrapati Bhavan even when Congress is not in power at the centre, a reality that could dawn on us soon. As such, he is the best bet for Congress but an unseemly horse for the pushers of the chariot of power.
But why do M&M propose the name of the sitting Prime Minister? Oops! Did I say 'sitting'? I guess there is difference between 'serving' and 'sitting'. In the present case, you don't need to be extra careful in deciphering the meanings. Congress has followed an ancient tradition of asking an elderly man to sit. That's fine with them - he is an apolitical person, maintains dignity of elephantine silence, does not have an ambition to promote his kins in politics, could be asked to vacate when the heir apparent of the Party decides to take the position, does not object to his colleagues taking orders from a naturalized alien and neither provokes anyone nor gets provoked by any amount of taunt or pinch. It is impossible ever to find a person of impeccable academic record and integrity in public life of his standing to sit on the throne and not be anxious about money, power, politics, self respect and governance. He is the most valuable but unambitious political asset a democratic party could ever get in its process of safeguarding the throne for a king in waiting.
So, did M&M send a 'not so subtle' message that a sitting Prime Minister should be placated of his position when they proposed his name for the Presidency? This leads to many interpretations:
- The proposal recognizes that the sitting Prime Minister is ineffective and incapable as the executive head of the Government. And as allies to the Government, M&M are not confident that they will gain value in electoral politics with such a man as the current Prime Minister in the high office.
- He can be taken for granted. He need not be consulted nor taken into confidence before a proposal on his political fate and personal status is decided by his political colleagues. The point that he has not reacted till now and that it is the Party which has rejected the proposal clearly shows that he neither has an opinion nor need to be consulted on matters concerning the highest offices of the land.
- For sure, the proposal will stir up the hornet's nest within the Congress Party and a struggle for power would ensue. Now that it is acknowledge that the Prime Minister is ineffective, the internal debate in Congress will begin precipitating on his replacement. Instability within the Party is the last thing that the reigning queen of the Party wants at the moment. And for sure, Congress will never be able to get someone who could sit so pretty in the Prime seat of South Block.
- Believe it or not, this move clearly means that the position of the Indian Presidency is that of a lame duck and only people on retirement are sent to occupy the Presidential seat. If you want to placate a lame duck Prime Minister and crown him as the President, it is a loud acknowledgement that nothing is expected from the Presidency of India.
Well, M&M have shown their political mastery. But at the same time, they have denigrated, dishonoured and deprived dignity of the offices of the Prime Minister and the President of India. It is downright irresponsible. But perhaps it is an irresistible mischief in the present scenario where both Mamata Banerjee and Mulayam Singh Yadav may have an eye on the seat of Prime Ministership of India.
V.K.Saxena
President
National Council For Civil Liberties
Ahmedabad.
www.ncclindia.org
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