‘PM’ as president

'PM' as president

Siasat, published from Hyderabad and Bangalore, in its editorial on July 19, writes: "Being the last student of the Indira Gandhi school of politics, Pranab Mukherjee, while fulfilling presidential responsibility, would have to demonstrate political loyalties as well. He has always been a strong soldier of the Congress high command. When Sonia Gandhi was faced with the problem of her foreign origin in the context of prime ministership, Pranab Mukherjee was to be chosen for the high office. But when Sonia Gandhi nominated Dr Manmohan Singh... Pranab Mukherjee bowed before the choice of his boss... the Congress has to face many challenges for success in the general election of 2014. Therefore, it was necessary to have a loyal incumbent in the office of president..."

The daily Sahafat, published from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and Dehradun, in its editorial on July 15, writes: "an assessment of Pranab Mukherjee's role presently is related to the fact that he has had a long association with the Congress, and the Central government is dominated by this party. He can put the brakes on any waywardness on the part of the government without any action in this regard being in the public domain."

Regarding the new president's likely attitude to the death sentence, the paper writes: "it is thought that following a policy of liberal reconciliation (sulah-e-kul), he too would follow the policy of pardon adopted by former President Pratibha Patil. But, then, the question would arise whether the provision of death sentence in the Indian Penal Code would have, somehow, to be dispensed with."

Assam's cauldron

Describing the recent killings in Assam as a repeat of the Nellie massacre, Jamaat-e-Islami's bi-weekly, Daawat, in an editorial dated August 1 writes: "The manner in which this game of killings and destruction has been played clearly proves this was an organised and planned action, which could not have been possible without elaborate preparation... The reports and... recent surveys make it clear that the fire of hatred had been simmering for some time, and it was nothing new. The problem of illegal migrants that had come up years ago, leading to a powerful movement, still persists. A view has been spread against Muslims, in an organised manner, that a large section of their population in the affected area had illegally migrated, especially Bangladesh, and settled there in the 1960s and 1970s. It should be remembered that in 11 of 27 districts of Assam there are large populations of Muslims, and it is being said if this matter is not taken seriously these would become Muslim majority districts... It is said that a vast number of them had run away to Assam during the India-Pakistan war of 1971. But it should be remembered that the Indian government had given shelter to these "oppressed" people at that time. And it is also a fact that almost all of them had returned... after the formation of Bangladesh."

... contd.

ALSO READ

The responsibility to protect

Ego trips

A police force of his own

A suitable CAG