``Everybody has been talking about the presidential form of government,'' said Chimanbhai Mehta, Forum convenor and former union minister, ``including Atal Behari Vajpayee and L K Advani. They all realise that the present system where they are dependent on their allies will not work''. The country could not afford to have a Prime Minister who cannot even choose his own ministers for his cabinet, he added.

Talking of the US model of the presidential form, Mehta said since people would be directly electing the president, there would be no scope for casteism and casteistpolitics. ``Even in the state, Manohar Joshi is dependent on his independent legislators for support,'' he pointed out. ``None of the states, Maharashtra, Gujarat or Bihar, have given us a stable government.''

A presidential form of government envisages a president who is directly elected by the people and who then proceeds to select his own set of cabinet ministers. Their proposals are then whetted by a House of Representatives and a Senate. ``A presidential form of government would also ensure inner party democracy, wherein the party workers can elect their leader through secret voting,'' he added.

The proposal, if at all accepted, would need a two thirds majority in the house to amend the Constitution. With most leaders today doing a rethink on the workability of the parliamentary form of government, Mehta thought it was a fit occasion to spark off a debate.

The Forum will hold a series of seminars throughout the country to create public awareness and inform public opinion. The first of its serieskicks off in Mumbai this Saturday, September 19, which will be presided over by former Chief Justice P N Bhagwati at Birla Krida Kendra, Chowpatty. The function will begin at 3.45 pm and will be addressed by Sompal, Union minister for agriculture and Y P Trivedi, president of the Indian Merchants Chamber, among others.