Rubber Stamp Democracy

Don't say or see anything, get it boys?

With the election of Pranab Mukherjee to the highest constitutional post in the country, we have taken yet another step towards becoming a rubber stamp democracy. With the election of the long time minister and parliamentarian, we no doubt have a ‘qualified’ individual in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, but we have in the process added another lame duck in a long list of individuals who have found themselves occupying the biggest house in the country on the basis of their loyalty and their capability for total submission to political bosses.

The way the last few presidential elections have panned out (barring Dr. Kalam’s) the entire process has been either about finding someone totally incapacitated to interfere with what the government does or to find an honourable retirement option for a long term servant (to the family). Pranabda has the unique position of satisfying both the criterion. Though he might seem like an acceptable choice to the uninitiated and our congress loving media, the intentions behind him being elected speak of the ills marring our democracy.

Not only has he been shooed out of the government to pave way for Rahul Baba to emerge as the only option for the PM’s post come 2014, Pranab Mukherjee has also been thrown out  because his position in the cabinet was rivalling that of the Prime Minister’s. And that god sent North Korean-esque right belongs alone to Sonia Gandhi. Or Rahul.

It also helps that the next general elections are around the corner. And who better than the family’s trusted aide for decades to be in the position most crucial to government formation. God forbid the congress does not get 272 in 2014 or earlier (that is if Mulayam Singh’s plans bear fruit), because they think they will every time, their proven handyman will, well come in handy. Pranabda, would have served his life’s purpose. The trusted servant handing over the keys to the empire to the prince. Rajiv and Indira would have been so proud!

For once I thought, naively I admit, that the cold calculations that have gone into past presidential elections would have favoured P.A Sangma’s candidature for the top post. He after all meets many of the criteria required off the President, as have been defined by the past elections. He is in the minority, many minorities actually. He is short, from the north-east, belongs to the scheduled tribes, is well spoken etc. His candidature would have been perfectly in sync with the minority bill filling status of our last few presidents. Woman – minority, woman in long sleeves – double minority. Scientist – minority, Muslim scientist from the South of India – election ticket!

Poor Sangma almost made it on his multiple minority status. But that was until the Gandhi family asked themselves the silly question of who, in the wildest of imaginable scenarios has the ability to challenge Rahul baba within the party. And somebody whispered Pranabda. Poof! And a couple of months later he is the President! Because that is the biggest minority of all. No one in the congress party can dare to even think of becoming the PM until someone, anyone of electable age is alive in the Gandhi Family. Narasimha Rao was a speed bump, a mistake never to be made again. The way the party has purged itself of anybody with ambitions has made sure that if the congress is to come to power, the Gandhi family will continue to rule.