The race to the Presidency is heating up. INC’s Pratibha Patil has announced that she will not be a rubber-stamp President, if elected. The NDA has come up with B. S. Shekhawat as their candidate, whereas the Third Front would only support the current incumbent.
President Kalam has already stated that he will not contest against Mrs. Patil. That, however, does not clarify whether he is willing to contest against someone else, say, Shekhawat. Shekhawat has announced that he is unwilling to contest the election if President Kalam wants to continue and there is consensus on his (President Kalam’s) candidature. Amidst all of these Mrs. Patil is embroiled in a minor controversy relating to her comments on purdah. Interestingly, BJP would support President Kalam if he agrees.
However, the President is elected by the Electoral College comprising members already elected by the people. Hence it just boils down to a show of strength of the different political parties. With the Indian National Congress in the losing side in the recent Uttar Pradesh State elections, it would have been easier to surmise that it would be difficult for Congress to have its way during the election of the President. However, as politics would have it, the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh has kept the race open.
Clearly, the strength of the Indian National Congress has been sliding since the last General Elections. They would do well to consolidate their position in some of the states. Also the Pay Commission’s recommendations are pending. The direction and quantum of change will become a key factor when the next General Elections become due.
Till then, it appears very difficult for Congress to get a consensus or easy election for their candidate. However, the antipathy that they have for the present incumbent will ensure that he doesn’t get a second term.
Yet I wish that President Kalam continues into his second term as the President of India.
President Kalam has already stated that he will not contest against Mrs. Patil. That, however, does not clarify whether he is willing to contest against someone else, say, Shekhawat. Shekhawat has announced that he is unwilling to contest the election if President Kalam wants to continue and there is consensus on his (President Kalam’s) candidature. Amidst all of these Mrs. Patil is embroiled in a minor controversy relating to her comments on purdah. Interestingly, BJP would support President Kalam if he agrees.
However, the President is elected by the Electoral College comprising members already elected by the people. Hence it just boils down to a show of strength of the different political parties. With the Indian National Congress in the losing side in the recent Uttar Pradesh State elections, it would have been easier to surmise that it would be difficult for Congress to have its way during the election of the President. However, as politics would have it, the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh has kept the race open.
Clearly, the strength of the Indian National Congress has been sliding since the last General Elections. They would do well to consolidate their position in some of the states. Also the Pay Commission’s recommendations are pending. The direction and quantum of change will become a key factor when the next General Elections become due.
Till then, it appears very difficult for Congress to get a consensus or easy election for their candidate. However, the antipathy that they have for the present incumbent will ensure that he doesn’t get a second term.
Yet I wish that President Kalam continues into his second term as the President of India.
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