The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : The President's role

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Friday, May 14, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

The President's role

Sir, — This refers to the editorial, "What should the President do?" (May 11), and former President R. Venkataraman's response (May 12) to it. Both in 1989 and 1998, the Presidency was saved trouble because one of the contenders opted out. In more contentious times, once sworn in, the incumbent may indulge in horse-trading to keep himself afloat.

The President cannot avoid the responsibility attached to his job: that of judging who might command a majority when things are not clear. The debate has not clarified that asking for letters of support from likely supporters is a covert means of transferring the venue for test of majority from the Lok Sabha to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

And our enthusiasm for transparency should not lead us to think that no person can talk to the President in confidence. The whole business of daily press notes issued by the previous President made one wonder if he was right then protecting himself from future accusations. The British Queen has not yet made known why she called Harold Macmillan and not Butler in 1958.

M.C. Swaminathan,

Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — Through your editorial, the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has been unintentionally usurped of his right to decide as he deems fit. Even in the ancient kingdoms of India, seers never volunteered opinions in the King's court without being asked to profess an opinion or offer an advice.

I wish you had acted cautiously and exercised restraint by not exhorting Mr. Kalam to behave in a particular manner. In the same vein, I also wish Mr. Venkataraman had stopped with just clarifying his point.

K.N. Venkataraman,

Toronto, Canada

* * *

Sir, — It is unfair to blame Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. His decision was purely apolitical and in fact even today he receives support from many quarters. And K.R. Narayanan's decision has been criticised by many.

R. Sarangapani,

Perungudi, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The editorial can be summarised in one sentence: "Mr. President, enable Sonia Gandhi somehow to form the next government."

T.S. Krishnamoorthy,

Coimbatore

* * *

Sir, — This is with reference to the rejoinder of Mr. Venkataraman. While the procedure followed by the President in following the precedent set by the British Crown was most appropriate for the referred instance, the precedent set by President K.R. Narayanan in 1998 was path-breaking.

The unleashing of the spectre of horse-trading at the point of inviting the single largest party or alliance even without verifying the availability of an authentic group having an absolute majority was given short shrift in this momentous decision.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

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