In
One Day Internationals (ODIs) what do you do during the last few overs? I am
not big on cricketing strategies but I have learned that “at the death”, that
is when the innings is coming to a close, you go for broke. You throw caution
to wind and whatever comes your way, you are the Sultan of Swat!
This
is what the outgoing President of India seems to have done, at least on one
delivery [1]. And, that delivery was truly at the death – granting clemency to
the condemned.
Here
comes the second reference I am going to throw at you in this post. It is a not-too-dated
post of mine that argued that we may have a debate between the candidates for
the post of President of India with a one-point agenda [2] - What are the
parameters, outside of the constitution, that will guide the candidate in the
choice of granting or denying clemency to a petitioner?
This
reference is relevant because Mr. P A Sangma has thrown down the gauntlet at
the former Finance Minister and now the UPA / Congress candidate for the post
of President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. The former has called for a debate
with the latter; but, unfortunately on economics and finance of the nation.
Mr.
Sangma chose the wrong subject. The president has no say in matters economic
and finance. What can they debate? Only how the former finance minister guided
/ misguided the country. A lot of good that will do in the winner’s actions
from his Raisina Hill residence in the future! Why could Mr Sangma not have
invited Mr Mukherjee for a debate on death penalty where there is at least the
possibility of a modicum of action from the Rashtrapati Bhavan?
But
as today’s article in The Hindu [1] makes
it clear there is hardly any wiggle room for the president even in in
this matter – the president “is mandated to act in accordance with the aid and
advice of the government in terms of Article 74 of the Constitution.” Not only
that, once ensconced in that comfortable environs, the president may be most
averse to stir the hornet’s nest and try to send back the recommendation he
receives from the Home Ministry, the nodal agency on this matter.
Even
so, the people would be aware of the inclinations of the First Citizen of the
nation on this matter through the proposed debate. It may not matter in the
election for the president but it could possibly become an election issue at
one remove. People may or may not vote for the party that supported or opposed
death penalty as measured by the position taken by the successful candidate in
the presidential elections, as a proxy for the position of the political
parties in the electoral fray who supported him. Yes, it is a convoluted
process but do we have anything better? I fail to see one on the horizon.
It
was Pratibha Patil at the death this time round and if the situation continues
as it is bound to, it will be Pranab Mukherjee at the death five years hence.
And,
we say India is progressing!
Raghuram
Ekambaram
References
1. Pratibha not playing to the gallery:
President’s Office, Smriti Kak Ramachandran, The Hindu, June 26, 2012 (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3570321.ece)
4 comments:
It would have been the most boring debate of the century if Bah (Bah is the Khasi equivalent to Mr, but Sangma is a Garo and I don't know the Garo equivalent, but Shillong is a Khasi domain) Sangma and Pranab da indulged in it. Sangma would speak about the tribal and SC people's needs. Pranab would hardly have anything to say except boast about decades of political chicanery. Sangma knows how to switch sides when opportunity knocks. Pranab probably doesn't know that craft. Or wouldn't dare at this age of his.
Neither of them deserves to be our President.
But you are stuck with one of them, Matheikal ... the debate I proposes is on the only topic on which the office of the President of India has even minimlaist say - death penalty.
RE
true
death penalty is
the only issue
the president may have a say..
it would have been a useful debate
at least it will remind the president of his role..LOL
Yes, that is true DS sir ... it is a not a complete paid vacation for the president, a walk or two in the Nughal Gardens thrown in, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan!
RE
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