How should be the Prime Minsiter of the largest democracy of the world

As the general elections of 2014 move closer to the largest democracy of the world, India; the debates, discussions and deliberations on how should be the leader of this country is gaining momentum. Going by the constitution of India, the leader of the largest party (coalition) becomes the Prime Minister of the nation. Once the elections are held and the results are declared, the elected representatives of the largest/coalition decide on their Prime Ministerial candidate. Unlike the US, where President is elected by voters, India has no system of direct election of the Prime Minister. Keeping the context of the rule books, and knowing that at the end of the day party high commands has a veto power, is it appropriate to debate publicly on the Prime Ministerial candidate? Should parties reveal their Prime Ministerial candidates before the elections? What kind of Prime Minster will the country like to be see?

Some of the questions that affect a normal observer would be difficult to answer. Public who know the political history of this nation know that many dark horses have emerged as Prime Ministers even at the surprise at the top level leaderships of their own parties. H D Devegowda, IK Gujaral, MM Singh are recent examples of Prime Ministers who emerged out of the post-election, post-results political context. Does this mean there is no need to discuss on Prime Ministerial candidate before the election results are out? Well, the answer will vary from political party to political party.

At present, the leadership of Indian National Congress means Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi family, in fact, has been acting as the most string fulcrum and many would say the single fulcrum of the party. Most of the voters of the party would accept any leader supported by the Gandhis as their Prime Minister. The party won’t bother much after its experiment in 2004 where MS Singh emerged from nowhere; still the party managed garner support of its voters to strengthen its position in 2009. MS Singh, both the times, preferred to get elected to the upper house of the parliament, thus avoiding a direct election by the mass. Even for 2014, it seems Congress seems to have decided to fight the elections under the Gandhis without declaring a PM candidate. 

In the contrary, the largest opposition the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fought last few elections under the leadership of a declared Prime Ministerial candidate- Atal Behari Vajpayee in 1996, 1999 and 2004 followed by Lal Krishna Advani in 2009. However, 2014 appears as a distinct challenge for the party as one among the second generation leaders has to be projected as a Prime Minister. Names of Narendra Modi, Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh are in the air. Though the party feels Narendra Modi is a clear front runner in the race of popular choice, his acceptability among the minorities and coalition partner has refrained it from declaring his name.

Prime Minister being head of the Government has a vital role to play in the national affairs. Thus, the voters of India have every time to deliberate on the person they want to see leading them, drafting national policies. The political debate on the Prime Ministerial candidate can’t be put under the carpet with the flimsy reason of constitutional provisions. However, the debate on the candidate must on lose focus on the key issues and personality traits that the nation would like to see.

Faith in the Constitution

Faith in the constitution of India means the leader must abide by the basic tenets of the constitution. Almost all political candidates would pass in these parameters.

Vision

As the leader of the nation, the Prime Ministerial candidate needs to have a vision for the country. A vision for which he has the zeal to work and the people have faith in the vision. Extremely broad level terms like social inclusion, elimination of poverty etc. would not suffice to be part of the vision without a time-bound definitive roadmap for them. 

Decision Making

In a political environment characterised by confusion, drastic change in socioeconomic conditions, transformation of policies; the leader has to decide on the basis of the best information available. He has to empower the right kind of people and stand by them. Lack of decision making could lead to policy paralysis affecting the country very hard. 

Communication Skills

Unless a leader communicates, there is no point in following. People will have questions, doubts and complains. It is the responsibility of the leader to come forward and address the concerns people have. These are the opportunities to connect with the people, and a good Prime Minister will have to answerable to the people

Integrity

From a Prime Ministerial candidate personal and professional integrity is beyond keeping oneself out of unethical, immoral and corrupt practice. It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to ensure that the government as a whole is pro-people and free from corrupt practices. 

Though a large section of the intellectuals will put lots of importance to flexibility, secular credentials, administrative experience and tons of other factors; No doubt, the country will not like to see lack of straight forwardness in the name of flexibility in matters of national importance. Whoever has seen, read or heard about Sikh riots of early 19802, Mumbai riots of early 1990s, Godhra riots of early 2000s, Assam riots in early 2010s understands that secular credentials in India is a misnomer in this country. Administrative experience though could provide an edge, is not that important for a leader whose primary job would be not only to manage and administer but to lead.

Hope as the time of election approaches to this subcontinent, debates on leadership shifts from filthy and less important issues to matters that would shape the future of this underdeveloped (a few prefer to call it developing or emerging) nation.

India in the Times of Transition

The sociocultural values, fundamental beliefs, priorities of a nation undergo transformation with time.  The process of transformation is in general a slow and continuous process that provides ample time to the nation to adapt to the changing environment. However, in the post-globalization globe, emerging nations have moved fast in economic front. Along with economy, the fundamental value systems, cultural ethos of these nations have started morphing.  India is a good case in hand.

Though India is largely an agrarian economy, the Hindu rate of growth is history for India.  For last several years India is growing at a yearly rate of more than 5%. Unlike countries that have transitioned from agrarian economy to manufacturing economy and then to service economy; Indian has skipped the middle phase to focus on service sector directly from agriculture. Indian banking and finance sector is considered as among the best of the worlds, Indian IT companies have established themselves comfortably in the competitive world. Indian talent is being appreciated around the globe.

At the same time India is witnessing a lot of challenges in its path of growth and development. To decode the contemporary context of India one has to focus on the major dimensions of changes that India is confronting with.

Democracy and Politics

Indian democracy is no more a playground of a single political party. Today, we witness regional satraps having their say in national scene.  Politics is now a politics of coalition, sometime addressing the contradictory demands of two different coalition partners.  A sizable chunk of Indian electorate has moved out from the traditional way of choosing representatives on the basis of caste and political party. They are now concerned over the issues of development and progress of their region. Large voter turnout in all recent elections is a result of interest of common electorate in the issues related to their constituency. Gone those days when high voter turn-out was essentially being seen as symptom of high anti-incumbency voting. Electorate is turning to polling booth both to support good governance and to throw a non-performing government out of power. 

Confusion and Corruption

With fast changing policies, dynamic economic environment confusion and corruption seem to have increased manifold. 2G spectrum allocations, coal block allocation; numerous mining scams at state government level appear to be mix confusion and corruption at policy level and implementation level. Indian administration and policy making is now dealing with multimillion dollar multinational companies which never had such a deep presence in the countries boundaries.  Politicians have also floated their own business enterprises or have become advocates or consultants of companies who lobby of their own profit and growth. Crony capitalism has made inroads into Indian life. 

Public Institutions

Role of public institutions have become more critical for functioning of this country. Fortunately, in India institutions like CAG, Election Commission have managed to come clean in the environment of confusion and corruption. Their independent stand and impartial decisions have put the corrupt elements of administration on an alert. At the same time, public institutions are increasingly being challenged by central and state governments who had till now exerted their unquestioned authority and power of common man.

Indian judiciary still lacks the strength to enforce regulatory majors, ensure smooth functioning of the law. Judiciary reform is being talked for decades, but nothing has happened on the ground. Despite the shortfalls, Supreme Court of India has managed to carry the hope of billions of Indians.

Indian Media

Indian media now has become either a corporate house that seeks profit or a tool in the hands of political parties that ensure selective publication of news items. Profit motive has undoubtedly come in the way of delivery of transparent and true news. Selective deformation of news creates confusion in the minds of readers/viewers. Lack of ethical journalism, investigational reports and excessive sensationalism is increasingly becoming a norm. 

Indian Youth

Indian youth has started challenging the system, asking questions and seeking answers. In recent past India has witnessed huge anti-graft movements. Lack of security for women has again made Indian youth and students to come out of their home, to protest on the street seeking accountability from the political class. Social media and internet has helped youth to connect with larger sections and voice their opinion. It is being said that some of the protests/demonstrations were organized using social media as an effective tool of communication.

Till now the decision making class had been using the resources for their own need and greed.  They had enjoyed security from police force, uninterrupted supply of electricity and water, unrestricted access to places of importance. Now Indian youth has started asking for the same, they have started asking the basis of such discrimination and disparity in availability of common resources.

As India moves further in the path of development, Indians will ask their politicians, administration tougher questions. They no more could be silenced and ignored. Public institutions, judiciary, media will be subjected to even more demanding times. Evolution of this emerging nation will be full of excitements, conflicts and progress.

Book Review: Agnostic Khushwant: There Is No God!

With Fifteen chapters "Agnostic Khuswant- There is no god" tries to highlight the dogmatism and irrationality associated with religions across the world. The authors are of the view that religious scriptures must be seen as books of literature and not as rule books as many things in such books are questionable and lack logical reasoning. The authors dare to challenge rituals, religious processes and Godmen. 

In the last two chapters the book is critical on the Dalai Lama and Swami Vivekananda. Some of the quotes of Vivekananda provided in the book makes a typical Hindu rethink about the high position provided to him. For example, the book says around 100 years ago Swamiji had predicted that Europe will crumble in another 50 years. 

The authors have provided some description about the source and basic tenets of all religions. However, what distracts a reader is disproportional discussion on Shikh religion. Again it is difficult to find out how much of the quotes are result of selective absorption, selective retention and selective distortion. Authors at many places have provided quotes leaving it to the reader to interpret. At some places the book lacks natural flow and structure, some concepts/information are repetitive in nature. 

The book will be a great read (except a few chapters) if you have been blindly believing religion and rituals. It will make you think. If you believe every creation needs to have a creator and God is that creator, the book will simulate your intellect to ask who has created God. 

Not a great read if you have already done some research on religion and its origin; if have evaluated logically the rituals and their significance.