By Poonam I Kaushish
The old gives way to the new on Raisina Hill. Meet India’s 14th Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind, a BJP old hand. While the symbolism of his accession is huge it underscores an important milestone in our
political history which till date has been dominated by the left liberal Nehruvian ideology. Call it destiny or a conspiracy of political circumstances, Kovind’s ascendancy to the Presidency has broken with tradition. Time will tell how it changes the future. How should one describe him? Kovind 71, a low-profile Dalit leader enjoying a clean reputation who has steered clear of controversy in his over 26-year-old political career who held various organizational positions in the BJP has already secured his place in history as India’s first President from the BJP-RSS’s ideological stock. Said he, while filing his nomination papers last week, “The President is above Party politics. The country comes first, not politics”. Undeniably, in this “battle of ideologies for a new India” the Opposition, has not only lost real time but also emblematically overtaken and out-smarted by a restless over-active Saffron Parivar, thereby marking a paradigm shift whereby the top four Constitutional positions President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker are from the Sangh stable and tutored on its ideological moorings.
A Saffron quadruple heralding a new political model: The Sangh Model to Power crafted to grab power, debilitate the Opposition and pursue Modi’s governance agenda in the run up to the 2019 elections. Whereby, all four in coordinated conjunction would ensure that governance is fast-tracked with two years to go for general elections. With Kovind at the helm, Modi can hope for a smoother ride. He might
give a leg up to plans for merging Assembly and State elections, electoral reforms etc along-with giving NaMo moral and institutional support to bring all stake holders on the same page. Two, Kovind the second Schedule Caste Head of State after KR Narayanan reflects a change of course for the Modi-Shah BJP from its traditional Brahmin-Bania vote base to emerge as a champion of the ‘Bahujan samaj’ with both Prime Minister Modi and President belonging to a backward caste and Dalit.
This outreach is not only to woo the community comprising Mahadalits, OBC’s tribals etc which constitutes 20% of the population and garner votes but a signal that the Saffron Parivar intends to expand its share pan India’s political map. Said Kovind, “There are so many Kovinds’ in the country….this Kovind is going to Rashtrapati Bhawan as their representative.”
At a time when the Opposition is busy heaping blame on lynching deaths on the Government, the Party can blunt its attack of being anti-Dalit by touting Kovind’s example. Alongside the President can help the
Saffron brigade cut its losses by raising his voice against lynching, pitching for greater cohesion among the society. Specially, with Mayawati looking to retrieve her Dalit votes, a MahaDalit in Raisina Hills may go a long way for the BJP to keep the Hindu votes united, especially in the politically sensitive and critical state of UP. Of course, despite being an old Sangh hand Kovind must keep equi-distance from his old cronies as the equation between the Rashrapati and our jan sevaks is based on mutual regard and respect which facilitates a healthy give and take. That JD(U) Nitish Kumar broke opposition ranks to hoot for him underscores Kovind has the ability to build confidences with those who hold diametrically opposite political views and work in harmony.
The real acid test for the new Rashtrpati would be to assert his Presidential authority on Constitutional grey areas and issues having no precedent and exercising his discretion. Towards that end his track
record in Bihar will hold him in good stead unlike other NDA Governors in Opposition ruled States who have had numerable run-ins with the Chief Minister at the behest of their mai-baap Centre. How he handles all these will determine his place in history. He needs to keep in mind that 2017 is not the India of 1947, today the President’s role has become critical, if the nation is not to be hijacked from its democratic and Constitutional path. The challenge before Kovind will be to come across as neutral and balanced certainly not an “activist” whenever the Opposition knocks on its doors and never be swayed by his ideological background and Party. Succinctly, take a conscience call. This is not to suggest that Kovind will stay silent on any transgressions if done by the BJP Sarkar given his fine record as Bihar Governor, notwithstanding being part of the same ecosystem his actions should be perceived as measured. Consequently, he is unlikely to rock the boat without any pertinent reason. In this 24X7 digital age and competitive politics, Kovind will have to give all it takes to adhere to the spirit of the Constitution, rather than its letter and act as the nation’s “conscience-keeper” along-with
balancing the ever-growing inherent contradiction within our polity.
Address basic questions vital to the healthy growth of India’s nascent democracy. As the country’s first citizen he will have to purge caste, creed, regional and linguistic identities which dictated nominations. As President he enjoys vast powers yet he must adhere to what Ambedkar called ‘Constitutional morality’ whereby he is required to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution to the best of his ability and not that of his Council of Ministers Kovind would do well to take a leaf out of India’s first President Rajendra Prasad’s book. The President is empowered by established conventions to ask questions, delay signing of any proclamation or other papers till the authorities satisfy him fully. He could put pertinent questions to the Centre before signing any document and demand full satisfaction. There is no time limit for him. Thus, as President Kovind needs to be wholly Constitutional and yet
act impartially, objectively and independently. Among other things, he could always exercise his judgment and ask for any decision to be reconsidered by the Government Constitutionally, he could even go to Parliament and also seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on any issue of basic importance.
All in all, he can serve the country faithfully only so long as he functions independently and have the guts to speak his mind out on matters that concern the aam aadmi. He should and not hesitate to send
Bills back to the Cabinet for reconsideration, in case of disagreement in the best national interest.
Given the all-round public cynicism about our netas and the continued erosion of Constitutional institutions, it is vital Kovind redefines the Presidency. India needs a President who would act as the check point for the ruling Government not as a rubber stamp.
Recall, Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote: public opinion everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who moulds public opinion goes deeper than
he who enacts statues or pronounces decision.” How he achieves this
will make or mar his bequest. —- INFA