By all accounts, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj spoke out of turn when she voiced her views on electing the next President. While opposing Vice-President Hamid Ansari for the post, Ms Swaraj, quite shockingly, claimed he did not have the “stature” to be Rashtrapati. In framing its opposition to Mr. Ansari in this fashion, the BJP has not only showed its hand too soon, but also lowered the level of public discourse on an important issue. Saying Mr. Ansari does not have the stature to become the President is both an insult to the office of the Vice-President and to its incumbent, a diplomat and scholar widely regarded as one of the finest India has ever had. To acknowledge and state this is not necessarily to root for his elevation, for India is a vast country and there are any number of able and wise women and men who, like Mr. Ansari, can bring stature and dignity to the office of the President. The BJP is, of course, entitled to announce its support for, or opposition to, individual candidates, and to make it difficult for the government to have its way. But in doing so, a sense of proportion and balance is essential, for once the contestation is over, the President and the Opposition need to be able to look each other in the eye and work together. By failing to articulate her opposition to Mr. Ansari in political terms, Ms Swaraj has done a disservice to herself and her party.
That the BJP had not done adequate groundwork before laying its cards on the table became clear when other constituents of the National Democratic Alliance distanced themselves from Ms Swaraj's statement. Sharad Yadav, president of the Janata Dal (United), a key ally of the BJP, was quick to note that the views of Ms Swaraj were not those of the NDA as a whole. The Shiromani Akali Dal, another NDA ally, which would like its leader, Parkash Singh Badal, elected Vice-President, evidently wants the doors for negotiations with the Congress kept open. In the absence of an agreement with the Congress, Mr. Badal's chances would not be particularly bright. Even as parties weigh the merits and demerits of various candidates, they should be careful in their public pronouncements. The office of the President is political, but only in the wider sense of the term. The role of the President in the Indian constitutional system is such that her or his political affiliation or inclination confers little substantive advantage to a ruling party. The Opposition has a right to make the ruling party sweat a bit in the run up to the Presidential election. But it shouldn't forget that the only political battle which truly matters comes two years later, in 2014.
Keywords: Presidential polls, Ansari's candidacy
It is wise to think that in the end we will be able to find a
consensus candidate who have acclaimed high regard by the nation
considering his valuable public service so far doneand who will
protect the constitution and 3tier system of governance and also the
valuable secularism we have followed. The past history of the nation
while considering the candidature of the head of nation are an
example. We have got eminent personalities i.e.Rajendraprasad ,sakkir
hussain Dr.Radhakrishnan and so on. Let us go forward to add the list
following the series without keeping in mind to which religion he
belongs. Nation and its president is important.
from the time immemorial politics is known to be as a dirty game and it is only and only because of some nonsense statements of very popular and renowned leaders like Miss sushma swaraj time and again. Whole nation knows whether Mr. Ansari is capable of being the president of our nation or not. It was the time once india was know as sparrow of gold and today its the time that we feel head down because of dirty politicians. Time has come that we need a big change and that change is the broadening ous mentality. India needs a change and we all have to move forward leaving all ups and downs behind.
There are very few politicians in our country who will not indulge in cheap talk.You can count them on your finger tips.
Whatever may be Ms Swaraj's reservations,she should not have uttered it in Public,it shows bad strategy and lack of dignity.BJP is a party of too many leaders trying to project themselves as the future PM.That is why they have not been able to come back into power.
Having said that ,I feel Mr Mukherjee will make an excellent President.
He is educated,dignified,knows Indian Politics well,and above all has a mind of his own.I sincerely hope he becomes the President.
One should pity Sushmaji's lack of diplomacy and political acumen in her talk and the Editorial righly reflected the same. To ameliorate the situation,BJP should take drastic steps like making Ravi Shankar Prasad or Yashwant Sinha as their national spokesperson on all matters. BJP ought to gain momentum by now for 2014 elections due to incumbancy factor and astronomical level of corruption by congress led UPA but things are not rosy for BJP. Exemplary performance and true public service in BJP ruled states from now on can only help them improve.
What Swaraj said was only a minor infraction compared to what Sonia did in appointing Prathibha Patil in the first place. It is important that all her omissions and commissions while in office are properly highlighted and enquired into and action taken where required . The Congress has to take full responsibility for this appointment;they need to be editorially pulled up .
Successive Congress Govts failed to promote Ansari as Foreign Secretary when he was in the foreign service . A person who was unfit to head a Central Govt DEpartment (external Affirs), how does he qualify to be President ?
All this is blatant minority politics . Even the Muslims have indicated they are not any longer taken in by all this. Te congress needs to open their eyes and look around to see how India has changed
It is all well to say that the selection of the President should be non-partisan. Media, and the political parties try to snatch every move or statement and give it a partisan/political colour. In this atmosphere, an editorial like this, instead of throwing light, obfuscates the issue by dwelling on a political leader's remarks on a particular candidate. If merit is not going to be the criterion in the decision of political parties for for the highest office,then what remains of our democratic "traditions" and pretensions?. In UK, the King/Queen is briefed every week by the PM. Does it happen here though we say thae we function on the British model.
The statement of Ms. Swaraj, which in no way can be termed offensive, is
the opinion of her party, or at best her own, and it does not certainly
deserve an editorial space by a reputed newspaper like The Hindu.
Congress leaders have said worse things about their opponents that are
more offensive. Digvijay Singh is a classic example for that. One would
like to believe that this editorial is a poor reading of the situation
and smacks of bias.
It is not correct by sushma swaraj as Mr. Ansari has done nothing which make vice president to ashamed of. As far as stature is concerned then does Pratibha Patil has the stature to become president and be in the office even after land controversy and foreign trip? Ms. Swaraj please anwer.
This editorial is raising a storm in a tea-cup over a non-issue. Sushma
Swaraj pointed out the obvious. I agree with her. In my humble opinion,
Hamid Ansari lacks the stature to be even the Vice President, leave
alone becoming the President of India. That is the real issue.
I agree that Dr.A.P.J.Abdul would be a far better choice of President
anyday over Ansari.
Sushma Swaraj is immature, inefficient and inert leader of opposition.
However there was nothing wrong in openly criticising a Potential Presidential Candidate.
CPI(M) did the same thing in 2002 by criticising Kalam.
A candid editorial, befitting the sstature of "The Hindu." It exposes BJP's anxiety about the role of the President in case of a hung parliament in 2014. But the office of the President should never be looked that way, whatever political affiliation of the person earlier might be. We have had persons who have been Congressmen, but once they occupied the seat they cared for the dignity of the office and not anyother thing. That confidence we must have for once in the post, he/she represent the Nation.
Country knows the relative merits of Presidential nominees.Sushma is right in her assessment about Ansari.Many will agree with her,who watched his performances in the RS thanks to TV coverage.We want men like M.C.Chagla.Of course Ansari is better than Pranab,who is very keen to protect the hoaarders of money in foreign banks and he is keen to protect the interests of the Congress than the Country.He wants those ill gotten money staked in foreign banks legitimised and legalised.All these money ought to have been forfeited to Government and penalised those hoarders.These are the leaders vying for power at the highest level.
This outburst of Ms Swaraj shows her in very poor light. Her rightful place is in the kitchen
and not in the Loksabha. The same person threatened to shave off her hair if Sonia Gandhi
became the Prime Minister of India. This kind of cheap talk shows ger true stature.
The editorial is clearly over the top, in reacting to Sushma Swaraj's
comments on Hamid Ansari. What is so derogatory or blasphemous in
saying "one does not have the stature to be come a President". How
does this comment lower the dignity of Vice Presidency, when the
comment is for Presidency? If the prestige and dignity of the office
is lowered in this country it is because of the choice of people like
Pratibha Patil with dubious records and conduct, for which Congress,
and Left are chiefly responsible. Kamal Farouki and Anil Shastri of
Congress, termed Sushma Swaraj as communal, since she questioned the
stature of Ansari. In this country, one can not even question the
competence and efficiency of a person, if he/she happens to be a
muslim. After successfully making UP, a muslim centric election, the
congress, SP and others want to convert Presidents election too Muslim
centric. Dear Hindu tell who is lowering the dignity of this country?
In BJP everyone tries to lead the team. Ms. Suraj's comments exposes that the party does not internal unit within it.
There is numerous ways to say the one thing. In spite of saying that Mr. Ansari doesn't posses the posture for president, Sushma Swaraj must have presented this in the acceptable manner. I respect Ms Sushma Swaraj for her articulative skills, that's why I felt bad for this kind of derogatory remark from her side. I Have listen her on many occasion and her presenetation and posture is quite strong and enchanting. But this time, It is social blunder.
One more thing that this article says that BJP is still not able to make consensus among NDA allies. I believe that they have best chances in 2012, if they don't spoil this by internal differences. I hope BJP will come strong in 2012 and will form government. Hope is good thing and any good thing never dies.
The President must be a non - political person in all respects.This is a must for a Nation like ours.Disciplined politicians are gone of the past.The nation very well knows the credentials of the each and every politicians of the present from length and breadth of this country.The consolidated general opinion of the people is that the politicians at least spare the Presidential seat from the clutches of the communal and scam ridden politics.
When Mr. Ansari played 'fun games' along with Congress and 'Lalu ji'
during mid night Lokpal debate , it was amply clear what stature this
person has.
Country Knows it is helpless, it may get another president as 'glorious
'as the incumbent, yet again..
What else can Sushma ji do? Except being blunt and to the point..
It is matter of shame and regret that such a scurrilous pronouncement came from the BJP leader, Ms. Sushma Swaraj. The remark is an insult to our apex, constitutional office that has been occupied by renowned men like Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, Rajendra Prasad, V.V.Giri, Dr. A.P.J. Abdulkalam and such other illustrious sons of India. If his antecedents are any indication, Mr. Ansari is also capable of acquitting himself creditbly, if and when he too is elevated to Indian Presidency. It passes one's comprehension why Ms. Suhma has made such a remark in public. She should have been a little more generous!
Politically it wont be a wise move for Congress to send Pranab to Rashtrapati bhavan as it weekens its defence in the parliament. So far whatever debates have happened, Pranab da has always weathered it for the party and the government. This does not mean that Mr Ansari is in any way a second choice.
While it might be bad politics on the part of Ms Swaraj, it certainly is not far from the truth. The same is true for our current president, who herself and her family have been, to say the least, controversial. Presidents and prime ministers should be beyond doubt and above partisanship. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
The Editor is known for his anti BJP stance. What is wrong Ms.Sushma Swaraj stating
facts. It is a fact that the Mr.Hamid Ansari did not live up to the stature of the post
that he was holding when the Lokpal debate happened. Mr.Hamid Ansari is from the
minority community and he used to write for "The Hindu"(the name The Hindu is a
misnomer). The Hindu reacts the way it normally does when dealing with minority
community.
The successive governments at centre and state favour the persons as President and Governors easily pliable. The proceedings of RS during Lokpal Bill has clearly shown. There is nothing wrong in opining since the person elected / selected shall be occupying highest office in our country.
The comments made by Smt. Sushma Swaraj shows her in poor light and unbecoming on the part of the opposition leader in LS. The party she belongs to has not come out with the right candidate for the Raisina hill and different leaders of her party have been in the news for the candidate for presidency. BJP lacks cohesion amongst its leaders and the tone and tenor she spoke was unwelcome.
I do not see any thing wrong Ms sushma swaraj said about Hamid Ansari.We
all know his partisan roll during the debate in RS & debate on Lokpal
bill.If he is wanted he would have continued debate past midnite.But he
did not & followed the order of masters !And this time President must be
a non political person.
It can not be denied that decency,decorum and discipline in BJP have become a thing of the past after the BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee,the most respected gentleman-statesman of the party exited from active politics. As such, we cannot expect anything better from such immature and arrogant politicians like Sushma Swaraj who presently occupies the position as the Opposition Leader in the Parliament,not because of her 'stature' or efficiency but because of the internal bickering of her party that has prevented a bit better persons like Arun Jaitley for the said position.
It is also not a surprise that the other BJP leaders who also sail in the same boat have not condemned Sushma for her most unparliamentary and arrogant comment on our Vice President Hamid Ansari.It is also a tragedy that a name of a person like her is also going rounds to become the Prime Minister of the nation, if the BJP forms the government in 2014.
Sushma Swaraj exhibited bad political strategy in making the comments. Having said that it is inappropriate to idolise Mr.Ansari. Commencing from the ascendancy of Indira Gandhi, Congress has been nominating candidates for the President's office based on Party loyalty and not whether the nominee will add his own personal halo to the office of the President. The exception was Narasimha Rao who was conscious of the eminence of the office. Having diminished all institutions it will be a great surprise if Congress changes the script this time. The nomination for President presents a great opportunity to Congress to reverse this commonly held sceptical view.
For Sushma Swaraj, an astute politician, to make a comment that Mr.Ansari lacks the stature is borne out of the 'partisan' role he played in the concluding hours of the debate on Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha. While it is unfortunate that she made a 'not so elite comment', yet the truth is that Mr.Ansari is partisan and could influence the functions of the office of the President in exceptional or crucial situations. Therefore his 'stature' for the post of President is questionable. Let us not delve on the niceties of the language used; but look at the underlying truth of her statement.
not long ago VP lost all his all stature and conduct during lokpal debate...sushma swaraj just spoke the truth. do ww want someone as president who fix democracy in dignified house of parliament
BJP does not have the stature to comment on the stature of Vice-President. I personally thought that he should be the 'natural' successor for Presidency.
The writer had blown out of proportion what Ms swaraj had said.Ms swaraj said the Ansari did not have the “stature” to be president and not vice-president,the writer unnecessarily added Ms swaraj has no respect for Vice president post!!!!!
Morover Ms Swaraj had backed one of the finest presidents Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to return to the post,the writer had conveniently neglected that also!!!!!
Sushma Swaraj could have not given the reason for not supporting Hamid Anasri. We need to respect the position of VP. There is a systemic problem with BJP. Every leader talks their mind openly as if that is final opinion of BJP. To the listener it gives the impression there is no unity with in BJP. Why cant they be disciplined more to discuss and give a united reply on issues? It will do good for the principle opposition party and the nation. The current way it functions they are scoring self goals. Like the India shining campaign congress will make it very easy to win themselves a third term. Many people in india dont want that to happen.
I am really shocked at the statement of Sushma Swaraj that Mr. Ansari does not have “stature” to be Rashtrapati.If BJP is not in the favour of Mr. Ansari is a different point but claiming that Mr. Ansari is ineligible to hold the president is shameful.Ms Swaraj should apologize for her statement.
You have rightly pointed out that the political parties
"should be careful in their public pronouncements".No
doubt Mr Ansari is an eminently suitable candidate for
the post of the president.The " stature " issue does not
wash in his case.The BJP seems to suffer from a lack of
sensitivity at the times of presidential election.It nearly
cast aspersons on the incumbent president at the time of
her election but the time and events that followed her
election proved that the BJP was miserably wrong in its
projections of her suitability. It may be the same again in
respect of Mr Ansari.Hence when " a sense of proportion
and balance is essential ",as you have stressed,self-
restraint in making public statements about presidential
candidates is absolutely necessary for the sake of India's
honour among the nations.
What ever said about Ansari, his conduct during the Lokpal Bill debate
was way lower than expectations. He definitely lowered the dignity of
the chair by his partial conduct. There is no doubt about that.
This is not the first time Sushma Swaraj has made such comments unworthy of a national leader. Her comments during the heated national debate about the 2G scams and the role of Prime Minister Singh in appointing a person with questionable suitability for the post of CVC was "forget and forgive". That she is one of the senior most leaders of the main opposition speaks for the quality of political leadership in our country.
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