(Congress)woman empowered

The half point first. Ever since it was formed eight years ago, the NCP has sought to place itself on the regional platform. Sonia Gandhi may have thought that the weaknesses of her party in Maharashtra could be overcome by fielding a Marathi candidate. That may or may not happen. But Sharad Pawar was in the news for his opposition to Shivraj Patil and for his close friendship with Shekhawat. So, Pratibha Patil’s nomination can become ammunition for the Maharashtra Congress to score a point over the NCP.

Broader ramifications

But more than the ramifications in Maharashtra, Pratibha Patil’s nomination may possibly contribute to the process of some political reconfiguration. There is unease in the NDA. This is reflected in BJP’s strategy to field its candidate as an ‘independent’ rather than as a BJP-NDA candidate. Some NDA members are also simultaneously toying with the idea of a Third Front yet again. These are indications of the insufficiency of the NDA as a political platform. The NDA has outlived beyond its political relevance. Now, the candidature of Pratibha Patil has led to the possibility of some NDA partners not towing the NDA line. For the first time since 2004, Congress stands a real chance of creating a dent in the NDA. Shiv Sena is tempted to accept the ‘Marathi’ bait, while Trinmool Congress has indicated that it may side with Pratibhatai as a woman candidate. Whatever their justifications, NDA partners seem ready to adopt arguments that would enable them to distance themselves from BJP. It is up to the Congress now to make the most of it. The presidential election thus, may turn to be crucial for reasons other than the election itself.

A political nomination

Very clearly, it is a political nomination. Ordinarily, this point would not even deserve a mention. But the media ran a campaign for a non-political president. Therefore, this aspect of the nomination needs to be underscored. Abdul Kalam was by far, the least directly ‘political’ occupant of president’s office. All others so far, whether also educationists or philosophers, were persons with political roots. But was Kalam really a non-political choice? He was too much in the thick of India’s top governing elite to be considered a non-political person. Moreover, his nomination served political purposes for the BJP and its allies. Here was a Muslim, a scientist, who can be the symbol of India’s national-military aspirations. But the media treated Kalam as a non-political occupant of that highest office and campaigned for yet another non-political choice. NDA ignored it by indirectly fielding Bhairo Singh Shekhawat, a political nominee and the UPA too, ignored it all along. The country’s top most political office, that may require serious political acumen and discretion, has to be from political background.

... contd.