In cricket, a googly at best claims a single, unsuspecting victim. In politics, a googly can strike, wound and benumb an entire party, as is evident from the Congress's shocked — and overly delayed — reaction to the audacious shortlist of Presidential candidates presented by Mamata Banerjee and Mulayam Singh. In the event, the Congress' rejection of the regional duo's proposal, nearly 24 hours after it was made, has only reinforced the perception that the party's reflexes have dulled irretrievably and it has no leadership to speak of. It was out of the question that the Congress could choose among the three names so casually proposed by Ms Banerjee and Mr. Singh. Not after the West Bengal Chief Minister had outed the Congress's own preference for Rashtrapati Bhawan — Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as first choice followed by Vice-President Hamid Ansari. And certainly not after Ms Banerjee and Mr. Singh had dared to include Manmohan Singh in their list of three, the other two being Abdul Kalam and Somnath Chatterjee. Ms Banerjee and Mr. Singh were in fact suggesting that the Congress change its Prime Minister, a proposal the party should have rejected instantly, without a second thought. Indeed, it should have been evident to the Congress that Ms Banerjee and Mr. Singh had dragged Dr. Singh into the presidential contest with the sole intention of unsettling and embarrassing the leadership troika of Ms Gandhi, Dr. Singh and Mr. Mukherjee. As it turned out, the ploy worked and a paralysed Congress showed itself incapable of mustering the strength and clarity required to deal with the situation.
For their part Ms Banerjee and Mr. Singh should think through the long-term consequences of their opportunistic behaviour. Of the three Presidential probables they have suggested, their real choice is Dr. Kalam. But the former President, though not averse to a second term, would expect to be elected unopposed. Ms Banerjee also ought to know that she cannot expect to remain in the UPA after breaking ranks with it on something so serious as the Presidential election. Nor can she be a part of any third alternative in which the Left parties have a role to play. Is she prepared to go to the Lok Sabha polls with her wagons hitched to the BJP? The Congress has paid a heavy price for its smug assumption that its allies would go along with any unilateral decision it made on the Presidential nominee. Not surprisingly, Sharad Pawar too has asked for wider consultations within the UPA. The Congress must act on this advice if it is at all to salvage a situation made difficult by its own hubris and indecision.
Pranab da is a seasoned parliamentarian and good finance minister who squeezed out the last paisa from the middle class people.During the whole tenure of Congress govt since Independence thousands of crores of Rupees have become black & travelled to Swiss banks.By nominating him to be presidential candidate the congress party trying to Install itself in the highest constitutional authority at the same time clearing the decks for some one favourite, for PM post(if it forms UPA3). Either way it has the key.
On one hand, Rahul Gandhi talks about the democracy within the political parties and on the other, only one person in the congress is making the decision. The candidate for the post of the president shouldn't be decided on the whims of one person. There is nothing as, ''Who is UPA's candidate for the post of the president of India?'' And, what it actually is, ''So and So is the Congress's / Sonia's choice for the same.''
Even smaller parties vigorously wag their tail vis-a-vis Presidential candidate selection but the much much bigger BJP has only to wait and watch--watch what?--the inevitable happening-UPA nominee running away with the cup.In the present political scenario of smaller parties calling the shot the BJP has no manoeuvrability either to influence the nomination or outcome.The BJP should draw the right lessons to reorient its core policies to attract to its fold smaller parties without whose support a winnable coalition cannot be formed against the UPA.This is easier said than done!
When Mamtha declared Kalam as the presidential candidate, and indicated by-election for parliament if Congress fail to support the Clean candidate for India, immediately Lalu and Karunanithi backed any candidates proposed by the Congress to avoid change of government at the centre for their well known cases of charges, pending with the Government: Mulayam is no exception. Bye bye Hazare, Bye bye clean Government.
Even smaller parties vigorously wag their tail vis-a-vis Presidential candidate selection but the much much bigger BJP has to wait and watch-- watch what?--the inevitable happening--the UPA nominee running away with the cup.In the present political scenario the BJP has no manoeuvrability to influence either the nomination or outcome.It has to draw the right lessons to reorient its core policies to attract smaller parties without whose support a viable coalition against UPA cannot be built.This is easier said than done.
Your editorial and all the comments so far have missed the appalling levels in our body politic. Whatever be the merits of Dr Kalam, the fact remains that in no other democracy would it be possible for somebody like Mamata to oppose the government on such a major issue and still remain part of the coalition. Basic decency would have required Mamata to first withdraw from the government before proceeding to fight it. Sadly our politicians have no shame in having the cake and eating it too. On the other hand, our citizens don't even see the tragedy of our political system but instead treat it as entertainment. I honestly don't know which is worse.
It is difficult to appreciate your strongly worded editorial ridiculing the Congress party for its 24-hour delay in effectively responding to the Mamata-Mulayam googly of proposing Manmohan Singh plus for the Presidency. It is better for a responsible political party to be restrained and thoughtful while responding to such a cunning and tactless proposal by some of its own allies than to go in for any instant, knee-jerk reaction. It is also not correct to describe the Mamata proposal to include Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the list as a slap in the face of the Congress as done by one of the readers. Why can't it be taken as an acceptance of the existence enough leaders of stature in the party for both the top posts?
What is the necessity of proposing Kalam for the president post when he already had rejected the proposal before.Students need him a lot not Rashtrapathi bhavan.
definitely ,congress has made a snuff out of the situation. sorting the list to pranab da is not a good option. As they will not be getting the support of opposition parties and might move to unstable centre after the election in july.
Why can not our Ruling/Opposition have their own meeting on Candidates final list using a simple Democratic Procedure ...Voting and why the Hell all other MPs and MLAs of Ruling/Opposition are so silent that they are not at all the part of our Legislature and letting one or two persons select Candidates for the Apex post.
I pity myself having no time for my country to log a Petion or PIL in SC to not allow Democracy to the drains...may be posing Rules and Regulations on any Party's freedom is again Non-Democratic but it should not be the other way that all the Power is vested in One Person in the name of Party freedom...
I doubt is it a Constitutional Procedure to let Party Hi-Commands or in our present Context Soniya to declare Candidates list without concensus in their own party ?
It is OUR mistake to elect and send dumb MLAs and MPs to Legislatures and then AGAIN its our mistake not to participate in Politics...I need more space at least to burst out in comments...
Whomsoever Mrs.Sonia Gandhi blesses will become the next President of India. Any other person who is made to contest will fall by the way side. This is ground reality in the country's politics today. As regards Opposition the UPA need not fell it, It will fall on its own given the insurmountable contradictions it has woven around itself and the time for its fruition has come.
I agree with Mr Mathew, the President hardly affect the Country and its functions. I am deeply disappointed with so much discussion happening over selection of a President. What happens to Indian democracy if President is subtracted? I see no difference at all...
Except the blind supporters of the Congress party, all others in the country will agree with the editorial that (1) the party's reflexes have dulled irretrievably and it has no leadership to speak and that(2)it will pay a heavy price for its smug assumption that its allies would go along with any unilateral decision it made on the Presidential nominee. It is very rarely, if ever that the Congress party is criticised in the mainline media so directly and pointedly. Thank you, Hindu, for speaking the people's mind.
The Congress has displayed it's usual arrogance in taking it's allies for granted. Mamata and Mulayam have given a nice knock on the knuckles. Suggesting MMS for President's post confirms the general feeling that he has passed his 'Use by Date''.
Enough time has been wasted by the politicians and media on this exercise of selecting a president. This is neither based on merit nor is it something that directly or indirectly affects the people of the country. Even without this issue there is nothing productive or profound happening in parliament, so please for heaven's sake, THE HINDU should at least take a stand that this is nonsense and needs to stop.
Mamta deedee is doing right things because she is honest,she is still representing common man,she has no hunger of making money.
Mulayam generally never deviates from his decisions.may be He is in confusion because of CBI pressure.
This presidential twist is getting complex day by day. First of all politicians should understand that President Post is not for the purpose of honor and for satisfying the utmost desire of holding highest honor in their name. Honor certainly a the byproducts of it. Rather it should be used as the office which can deliver to the nation up to its potential. The candidate should be capable of exploring new ways and hidden powers of that office.
It is a 'foregone' conclusion that the UPA Chairperson will have the ultimate laugh after after the election of the President. The party is well known for armtwisting the dissenters and with the might of the CBI at their control they will browbeat ALL 'vulnerable' to number of 'cases' already under CBI Investigation and NEW ones will be 'Unearthed'. ONLY the People of India can challenge this.Then again a pliable person in the Rashtrapathi Bhavan the Party still can do 'impossible' things. The so called opposition is Paving Their Path with 'The House Divided' strategy of their own.
Attacking the Congress, no matter what the others does is the game of the year.
Damned if they do, damned if they don't is the name of the game. Hubris, nonchalant, indecisive and by any means of imagination, inflexible and such
adjectives does play to the gallery, but reality is simple - the people of the country
have decided to blow a certain way and it's good for the Congress to listen and understand the mood irrespective of how much time they take in responding. At some point in time, it's always good to see to it that you drop off from power earlier than later and let some other smart set of people test the current mood of the world and experience what it takes to lead a country through such a turbulent world. Time to do away with the old to build anew.
As far as I know, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav has not dropped his last name, which is corroborated by a report in The Hindu today where he has been consistently referred to as Mr. Yadav. Therefore, it is wrong (and very confusing) to refer to Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, as many as five times, as Mr. Singh in this editorial. It is just as wrong as, for example, to refer to Dr. Man Mohan Singh as Dr. mohan, and Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as Mr. Karamchand.
What is the job specification for the president in India? The president has no power except returning a file once. Why are we making a big fuss about the choice of a president? Kalam was different because he was meeting large number of youngsters and talking about dreams. Programme planning and execution is not the job of the president.
it proves that coalition goverment cannot take any unified decision for
matter ranging from fdi to presidential polls.
Kalam has had his day. Only a power hungry man wants to contest again. Kalam was a good president, not extraordinary. He will be a loser if he stands and loses election. He is not a politician.
mamta is again making mockery of coalition politics. World watches amusedly as she ruins this country;s reputation.
after Presidents election, UPA should kick out mamta. If there is a mid term poll to be held, so be it. The poor care too hoots for politics. They will vote for stability and growth. The best party to win will be good for India, provided we get a single party majority.
People are sick opf opportunistic parties and instability of coalitions.
Jaya withdrew support from Vajpayee in 13 days and there was a mid tern poll. Mamata can do the same, and we can have a poll. At least new govt can start reform process again.
congress will tie up with left in bengal, and BSP in UP, in case TMN and SP ditch the coalition now. Congress will retain its power again.
Contrary to their fears that Dr.Abdul Kalam might act against their wishes in anything and everything,the Congress party should understand that Dr.Kalam is a gentleman par excellence and would definitely give his assent to the proposals made by the ruling party provided they are in no way detrimental to the interest of the nation.In case they are unable to push a consensus candidate among the names they have in their mind,it would only be ideal for them to agree to the nomination of Dr.Kalam in the most decent manner and without losing time. An unexpected unison among all the political parties can be witnessed if this happens and the nation would also be proud that they have selected the right person as their President.
But it is a million dollar question whether Dr.Kalam would agree to be the President again.After witnessing so much of contaminated water flowing through the Presidential tub,it is very much unlikely that he would accept the proposal as he is not a power monger!
With allies like this, Congress needs no enemies. But, as the Editorial points out, its own inertia and paralysis is alarming. Banerjee and Singh have succeeded in mocking Congress, embarrassing Pranab Mukerjee and Abdul Kalam and exposing their own immaturity. At least Advaniji is going about it quietly and professionally.
I appreciate Mrs. Mamata Banerjee for suggesting the name of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for the post of President of India. At this point of time, the fittest person in India to become the President of India is Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. As the President of India, he had proved his mettle by reaching out to lakhs of students all over the country and abroad. He never wasted a single minute during his tenure. Even after ceasing to be the President, he has kept himself busy in taking part in innumerable conferences, seminars, meetings and addressing the youth. He has been instrumental in shaping the affairs of the youth of our country. He has given a new direction and orientation to the people. Of course, Dr. Kalam also made innumerable foreign visits, but every visit was purposeful and India's glory increased manifold by such visits. His teachings and advices have immensely benefited the country. All right thinking political parties should seriously introspect the good things done by Dr. Kalam
After a great innings of liberalisation, I do not see any logic why Dr manmohan Singh should not be first choice of UPA and Sri A Raja ,ex telecom minister as second choice meeting the criterion of being a Dalit!
Here, a point has to be noted. Ms.Banerjee's and Mr.Mulayam's proposal of Dr.Singh to be made President comes immediately after S&P dubbing Dr.Singh & Ms.Sonia as reason behind the economic progress being stalled. So, there could be a Congress insider's hand in the proposal made by these two regional heads.
If Congress has declared its candidate earlier a consensus would have been evolved, at least a agreement would have been stuck with BJP & left to ensure smooth election. Even after being in receiving end due to various scams, congress continues to act arrogant by not consulting allies or opporsition in a crucial presidential election.Like policy paralysis, now it should understand the issues of dealing with delayed decisions.
Rather than condemning such non sense and shameful acts our media tries to make it sensational by discussing it widely so that miscreants get the necessary fuel. And this so called federalism and regionalism is leading India nowhere. And whenever election comes (in 2014 or earlier) Congress can not come back to power (at least it seems so right now), can BJP or any other party with primary national interest can function in this culture. Even a dictatorial ruler like Modi can not function. So unfortunately, short term future of India is gloomy.
Coalition means working together - not independently on their own. Congress has failed to be the leader of the larger partner in this set up. Even in a family, leave alone the day to day activities, important decisions are taken after consultation only. Congress because of it's ruling elite mentality, failed to see the ground realities. If within the national parties, they are not able to maintain the required relationship, how they are going to inter act with foreign nations, I wonder. With this attitude of political parties, the country's problem can never be solved, and will be a mirage and for some people to talk about that. In olden days on seeing films, about evil getting punished, and righteousness triumph, we used to be elated and happy. Now also with such pep talk and day dreams only, we spend our days.
Please make language more Indian. It could be English. But for us, it is
Mamata and Mulayam. Not Ms.Banerjee and Mr.Singh...
Though I am not a big fan of Manmohan Singh's adminstration ever since he took up in 2004, i still feel very sorry for him. How much more could a PM be insulted? Shortlisting the PM for the post of president is a cruel mockery and affront on the very post of the PM. it implies "enough of you being the PM" This is surely more an insider Congress job than that of Mamta or Mulayam.
The UPA should have directly rejected the proposal Dr.MMS to be in Presendential Elections But why didnt they do it. Is there something cooking up in UPA . Why Dr.Kalam is not considered as good candidate by UPA....
I think that Mamata has overplayed her hand and acted in haste.This has spoiled chances of both Kalam and Pranab Mukherjee.
"Problem in paradise" are inevitable the moment opportunistic politics is played there. What is happening here? Every one is going for everybody's flesh of pound. I thought that the Name of Dr. Singh was proposed by two Ms only after consent of Ms. Sonia because she wanted PM a grand exit as congress looked for a face change. Mr. kalam & Mr. somnath were, for me, used by Mr. Singh & Miss Mamta only to appear right to their Muslim and Bengalis constituencies respectively. But Congress not only rejected there proposal they also went on to say we can survive without mamta in Bengal & condemned Mamta for crossing the line. I am surprised why congress didn't call mamat's bluff on other reform issues like FDI, NCTC, Pension Bill, Lokpal & Lokayukta. The courage congress got this time because mamta has jeopardized the chances of Bengali and also because this time she has directly assaulted Ms Gandhi. Congress wants Bengal people to realize that Mamta is trying to block a Bengali chances.
The congress party has never practiced politics of mutual consultations on footing of equality and respect with opposition parties. It believes in an authoritarian way of imposing its decisions. Result: chaos. The present crisis only shows that we are still far away from practicing real democracy.
Under the prevailing situation the country needs an intelligent and honest person in the Rashtrapathi Bhavan. The congress party with barely 200+ members in the Lok Sabha wants to instal a person who will help them again to form the govt after the next Lok Sabha elections which appears to be round the corner, even with lesser strength.Dr.Kalam had the guts to question Mrs.Sonia's eligibility to become the Prime Minister of this country. Vast majority of the citizens of this country want Dr. Kalam as president again at this critical juncture. Congress fears this man. Why?
The editorial correctly reflects the present fluid situation regarding the choice of nominee for the high office of President of the nation. The entire issue has been blatantly mishandled by the Congress from the very beginning itself when the CWC entrusted the very vital question of choosing the nominee to one single individual thus flouting all democratic norms. The proper course of action would have been for the party to convene a meeting of all constituent parties where the entire issue of prospective candidates would have been discussed thoroughly and consensus arrived at. This is the essence of coalition Dharma. Instead they took mattes for granted and, as pointed out in the editorial, had to pay a heavy price for its smug assumption that the allies would fall in line with the unilateral decision it had taken on the Presidential nominee.
You criticize everybody except Sonia Gandhi -- the Congress party has authorized her to name the candidate. Must the Hindu join their sycophancy? Why do you condone and abet power without responsibility? Someone must put up the name of Rahul for the president's post.
I think our present PM Manmohan Singh is the best choice for the President's post. He will complete his full five year term without uttering a word and without causing much head ache for the ruling front. A humple request to Didi and mulayamji, why do you drag Kalam's name unnecessarily without his consent to meet your political ends. He is the best President ever India seen.
It is unfortunate Hindu's biased editorials on Congress and Government. if Congress announced the candidate earlier, i am sure you would have comeup with an editorial blaming congress for not consulting other parties.
Somebody should put the leaders of Unlimited Peculate Association on notice. Your editorial talks mostly of the Congress fumble and at the wicket, but does not give enough credit to the bowlers for bowling the googly.
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