India's Presidential Election

In my introductory blog post, I set the parameters for the content of my posts by pointing out that my posts would be confined to issues relating to the theology and practice of Chaitanya Vaishnavism. Upon consideration, I've decided to dispense with these narrow parameters and write instead on any issue that interests me. That being said, I still envisage that the vast majority of my posts will be dedicated to some aspect of Hinduism but at least with this modification in place, I now have the scope to write on a broader range of issues. Since I am on the topic of broader issues, let me turn my attention to the victory of Pranab Mukherjee in India's recent presidential election.

Pranab Mukherjee

The office of the president of India is a titular post and its largely ceremonial nature means that most presidents lack the power and constitutional mandate to effect deep change either politically or societally. However, I would warn against trivialising Pranabda's electoral win. Mukherjee's stature and the fragmented nature of India's political system all militate against such a trivialisation. Let me explain.


Pranab Mukherjee's electoral victory means that he replaces Pratibha Patil as President of India. Patil's election as president in 2007 was a largely low-key affair with many in the subcontinent criticising her political inexperience and servile treatment of the Gandhi family. It's hard to avoid the conclusion that Patil's tenure as president marked the lowest point in the history of India's presidential post. When you consider the stature of previous occupants of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, like S. Radhakrishnan and Z. Hussain, Patil's election in '07 appears to constitute an anomaly. The truth, however, is that bar some exceptions, the symbolic and titular nature of the Indian presidential post has contributed, in recent years, to the post's decline in significance and importance. 


Pranab's election, although not entirely controversy-free, should restore some of the post's significance and bolster its standing in the eyes of India's citizens. His political credentials and the sheer duration of his political career endows him with an influence that extends across the breadth of the nation. For a president of India, influence is vital. 

Pratibha Patil

The fragmented and fractious nature of India's political system coupled with the growing influence and prominence of regional parties, means that, in the words of The Economist 'a hung parliament is almost certain after the next general election in 2014'. Why does this matter? Well, in moments such as these, it is the president of India who has the opportunity to request certain parties to form a coalition. This ability to play a defining role in the formation of a coalition endows Mukherjee's post with a significance that it ordinarily lacks. This explains, at least to some extent, why the Congress Party (and its allies) are in such high spirits following the success of their presidential candidate. 


As anybody familiar with the financial press will know, India's growth has deteriorated over the past few years. Dr. Manmohan Singh has been criticised publicly for his political ineptitude but I think Pranab Mukherjee has got to take some blame for India's declining fortunes as well. After all, it was Mukherjee who presided over India's economy as finance minister for three years. During his tenure, GDP growth fell from an impressive 8% a year ago to just over 5% this year. His departure has left vacant the post of finance minister and therefore invites the possibility for somebody more economically astute to take over. Whether this actually materialises remains to be seen; for the time being Dr. Singh has taken over the finance portfolio as he struggles revive a floundering economy. 


It would be silly to question Singh's economic credentials or personal integrity. There is no doubting that he does command respect internationally for his remarkable intellectual prowess and humble demeanour. I think, more than anything, the problem with him is one of appearance. His humility comes across to many in India as political diffidence and his unwavering loyalty to Sonia Gandhi reinforces the ubiquitous perception of him as Gandhi's puppet (or shall I say poodle!). 

Dr. Manmohan Singh

The ruling coalition, the United Progressive Alliance, seems to lack both the political will and necessary expertise which makes the implementation of key political/economic initiatives over the next two years seem very unlikely. I hope that I am proved wrong but we may just have to wait until after the general election to see a reinvigorated India. I'm prepared to wait that long- the question is, are India's citizens? What happens over the next two years may well decide the fate of the Congress Party.