Presidents Role

This refers to the Congress-United Front relations after the formation of a ministry at the Centre. That political instability haunts the Gujral ministry cannot be ruled out unless the Congress joins the Government. It is surprising that the Congress President, Sitaram Kesri, is requesting the TMC president, G K Moopanar, to join the Gujral cabinet for stability, while his own party remains outside. Is it just for string pulling? The Congress is notorious for pulling out all governments at the Centre for no reason at all.

If the Congress is sincere in co-ordinating the smooth functioning of the Union Cabinet, it has no right to censor the names of United Front leaders picked to join the 10-member co-ordination committee. It was the foresight of President Shankar Dayal Sharma, who insisted on first getting a co-ordination formula, before gambling for yet another unstable government at the Centre. If pre-conditions like cordial and immediate formation of the co-ordination committee are implemented, the President has the right to dismiss the Gujral ministry for not keeping its promises. In these days of selfish politics, the President will have to play a more active role.

India should work towards a political system that eliminates chances of political instability or frequent elections. Even a trial for national government can be made by electing a prime minister by secret ballot. Such a prime minister will have to take care of MPs of all parties to ensure smooth running of his/her government!