The suggestion of Mr. Purno A Sangma, the Presidential Candidate against
Congress sponsored candidate Mr. Pranab Mukherji public debate is a
welcome idea. Although the situation which has obtained after the
decision of the political parties, Pranab Mukherji's election is almost a
foregone conclusion; yet as any election is an education, which leads to more
awaking and maturity of the people, this election will also be very fruitful if
Sangma’s proposal is accepted in its proper spirit.
This type of debate
is nothing new. There are many countries in the world where such debates are
organised on television channels. United States of America is a shining
example, where nobody can think of becoming the President without undertaking
the vigorous campaigning through debates and discussions. It is true that the
President of the USA has immense powers and his position cannot be compared
with Indian President where he /she is merely a titular head of the state.
The President of
India may not enjoy the same powers as the French or American Presidents but
he/she certainly has more powers than the queen or king of England. He/she, to
top it all, is window to the world.In the era of coalition governments the President's
post has assumed much significance. The debate will no doubt throw the light on
the personality of the candidates.
Being the
head of the family the President is supposed to check the executive and if it
has gone astray, he can bring it back on rails. We in India have seen that
Presidents have often worked like rubber stamps except the first two Presidents
— Babu Rajendra Prasad and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. But then it was a different
era of different people. Now cunningness, petty politicking has replaced the
learning and sincerity to the cause.
We expect that the
next President will be loyal and honest to the constitution and people of India
rather than to person and the party. The debate would thus without doubt shed
the misgivings and prejudices about the candidates. Since no whip can be issued
in the presidential election, the people's representative would be at liberty
to vote as per their conscience based on their understanding of the ability and
competence of the candidates.
Hopefully, both
candidates will give serious thought over it. Pranab babu being a learned
man of wide experiences will agree to this sane suggestion of Shri Sangma.
