President - Loyal to ____ ?

The race to the Rashtrapati Bhavan will soon be over and we will have a new occupant there. Probably, never before the race has been murkier. Earlier we had names of many party loyalists are doing rounds; most of them loyalists of the ruling party at the centre which has advantage of numbers. We had names of veterans like Karan Singh, Sushil Shinde, Pranab Mukherjee, Somnath Chaterjee, Shivraj Patil (who doesn’t seem to have had any substantial achievements, or stature, or qualifications... except probably loyalty to the dynasty!) of the ruling party and the current VP, Mr. Bhairon Singh shekhawat doing rounds (who, of course is contesting).

Finally we had some unknown person called Mrs. Pratibha Patil who became a candidate ... probably with no other substantial achievement (barring loyalty to the dynasty... and I won't call things like opening a women's hostel as an achievement, though it was listed as one!), and a seemingly 'tainted' past. But ultimately it all boils down to party politics, and nation takes a backseat. People do not support a candidate, or refrain from voting not because of the candidate, but because the candidate is backed by a party with which it is not on talking terms. And then there are politicians who are bringing in the regional connection or caste connection in choosing the president.

There were names of NR Narayan Murthy (though he was never interested in the post), and second term for Dr. Kalam springing up which was almost 'unanimously' shot down... except a so-called attempt by so-called third front. Probably they would not like to see someone who refuses to be a mere rubber stamp.

These issues have been highlighted in media, and most of the people may have similar views. But it is quite likely that this issue springs up because current incumbent at the Rastrapati Bhavan has been quite unbiased and neutral and has been liked be many for his role at the top, and believed by many to be one of the best presidents since independence. Earlier also we had presidents who were from a political background. First few took part in freedom struggle. But all from Dr. Rajendra Prasad to Mr. K.R.Narayanan, barring Dr. Zakir Hussain were politicians and all belonged to Congress, which has ruled India for most of the time since independence. So the party in power putting its own person as the president is not a new thing. President being completely neutral is desirable, but is a very rare phenomenon. After all who would like to lose driver’s seat in national politics? Probably this is what realpolitik is all about.