The Presidential election was the topic of discussion on the IBNLive chat room on Friday afternoon, when Diptosh Majumdar, National Affairs Editor of CNN-IBN, fielded readers' queries from across the spectrum in a live chat running into one-and-a-half hours.
The readers' participation was amazing and Mr Majumdar had a hard time replying to them. At the end of it, we were still left with hundreds of questions on the queue and hundreds more at the moderators' end.
It turned out to be a very serious and engaging debate, with every reader putting forward his or her point of view aggressively and grilling our editor on every aspect of the topic. And then, there were those funny bits, out-of-the-box thoughts and the weird imaginations.
Here we reproduce the entire chat with no editorial touch at all:-
Gungun: Why shouldn't we have a presidential system like the US, where the Prez is responsible to the people? And what changes should be made in the Westminister Form of Presidency?
Diptosh: Just explained we shouldn't
Vision2020: Looking at the messages you said, were you Mayawati you'd be seeing all kind of flesh, did you mean she might plus for Somnath?
Diptosh: That's politically no viable
Bankim Mazumdar: What is your honest assessment of Mr Kalam as the Prez? Was he a mere figurehead or was somewhat different from his predecessors? If yes, in what respect?
Diptosh: He was a great President in his own way. I am not saying he was flawless but he added a lot to the institution. Every president can interpret his role in Rashtrapati Nhavan. Kalam did a great job and he will be come a future reference point. Presidents following his footsteps can think of enunciating their own vision for India's future. Kalam is an optimist and a great thinker.
Shashank: Hi Deeptosh, I m a student doing my grad. I am having a question. Why do you media guys have to do such kind of exit poll for presidential candidate? I dont think tht even if u guys do anything the politicians are gonna do stuff according to their own thinking!!
Diptosh: Agreed, but can't we do an audit on what the politicians are doing? or point out to them what the popular domain is thinking about their choices.
Gaurav F: Coming back to Mayawati. In case the Congress and BSP strike a clandastine deal and get a President elected, isn’t it demeaning to the highest constitutional post in the country and to a certain extent illegal?
Diptosh: Not entirely demeaning, but a nice tradition was evolving in our choices of Narayanan and Kalam. They were people with great conscience. We shouldn't have discontinued with that tradition and let it flourish a little longer.
Gungun: Hi Diptosh, do you think our country really needs a President, what with him being merely a rubber stamp?
Diptosh: Have just answered to this question, Gungun.
Stunner: We always need Kalam to be the next President because he was the biggest motive for youngsters and all people.
Diptosh: A lot of people share your views.
Bankim Mazumdar: Diptosh, would you support the idea of direct election of the President in line with the American presidential election instead of the indirect election through an electoral college of MPs and MLAs?
Diptosh: Not. Our system of letting the Prime Minister lead the real government is working fine. I would prefer the Presidential institution become its conscience and the final arbiter. Say for example, the President can come up with his views on the judiciary versus legislature debate.
Raghuram: Like the selection of candidates for MP/MLA elections, is the Presidential candidate selection is also heading in the way of selecting by the criteria of caste and religion, rather than on individual characteristics & eligibility? The current trend seems so.
Diptosh: There have always been such considerations. And not too much wrong in it either. Narayanan made it because he was a Dalit, Kalam made it because he was a Muslim but let's look at the result. They were both great Presidents. It doesn't matter always how the choices are made. Narayanan and Kalam are both self-made success stories only a great democracy like India can throw up.
Thrinadh: Presidential election shold be made directly by people of the country rather than by these crooked politicians.
Diptosh: Just explained, it shouldn’t be direct election.
Nishad: I remember a story of a common man trying to contest in the presidential election the last time around.If we have more people like this then it would really help the views of the common man to reach the ears of the government.what are your views.
Diptosh: In a democracy we are all common men. But the President's role being a quiet, silent one is the most difficult. I think an experienced person. I am not saying a politically experienced person… should be entrusted with the job
Madhav: Who do you think was India's best president and why?
Diptosh: Radhakrishnan. He had the stature, was the only person capable of standing up to Nehru. Narayanan, he was a bit Nehruvian, but had a great mind. And Kalam, he made it look like an easily accessible and popular institution.
Anki: Don’t you think President should be handed more responsibilities? Presidents like Kalam can do many good things for India.
Diptosh: I have said again let the President's emerging and evolving power remain understated and unstated. Let it be more about checks and balances.
Ritaisree: Diptosh, What was the role played by Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to usher in the Emergency?
Diptosh: Historians would say he didn't ask questions.
Bankim Mazumdar: Dear Mr Majumdar, what is your guess as to which combo - UPA+ Left or NDA - Mayawati will eventually support? Would she want her pound of flesh on Taj Corridor issue from the UPA in bargain for support to that combo?
Diptosh: If I put myself in Mayawati's place, I shall definitely think up all kinds of pounds of flesh.
Hemanth: Diptosh, what is first the thing you would do as President of India?
Diptosh: That's a great question. Couldn't find an answer. As a President, officially I am not supposed to do much, but then I believe, I should be doing something because both Kalam and Narayanan did a lot. Will have to refer that question to President Kalam. Will have to ask him if he had come to Rashtrapati Bhavan with a prepared plan of action.
Raghav: Why do you think these political parties are averse to a apolitical President for India?
Diptosh: It’s a Congress-UPA logic which the NDA has been forced to accept.
Mpower: Hi! Why can’t media make a strong case for Mr Kalam explicitly by highlighting this good work and exposing the agendas of Left, Congress?
Diptosh: Media is discussing the issue of the presidential election threadbare.
Srinivas: Diptosh, I have a small doubt in the current political system. If any party to form a Govt, it should have 50 per cent seats. This is fine. Why the same rule is not applicable while electing MLA/MP (what I mean even he gets 30 per cent of votes, he is the winner, 70 per cent of people are opposing him.)
Diptosh: We have a parliamentary system where 50 per cent is not the criterion. You are looking at French electoral system. But our democracy has worked fine. It is equally representative. In a diverse country like India, multiple parties will contest polls and the first past the post is a good way of deciding the winner. We cannot simplify the Indian polity.
Ritaisree: I hope and pray Mayawati supports Abdul Kalam for President.
Diptosh: Doesn't look like she will. She will ask herself what do I get in return and the answer will be none.
Ravi1: Let’s vote for an eminent journalist for President. What’s your choice just in case. Diptosh?
Diptosh: Journalists can do a better job as journalists.
Vision2020: Why would Mayawati support UPA or NDA?
Diptosh: Mayawati can support the government of the day, the UPA, because she needs all kinds of help at the Centre. She might have needed the NDA if the NDA was at the helm here in Delhi.
Thrinadh: I feel a gentleman like Mr Kalam has soiled himself by accepting presidentship. He was forced to rub shoulders with dirty politicians. It will be better for him not to get elected again. He can give his valuable time and rich experience for better things for the benefit of the country.
Diptosh: That's your view.
Madhav: Why can’t the presidential poll be made similar to the Lok Sabha election with each political party fielding (or supporting) a candidate. People will be able to choose their President and the maximum no of candidates will not be more than 10. So we will have a clear verdict.
Diptosh: Then you are giving the single largest party the biggest chance.
Ashok Bagi: Should Mayawati be the next President? .
Diptosh: Why should she? She may well aim for the Prime Minister's chair within the next few years.
Ravi1: Why not Brinda Karat for Oresident ? The Left is calling the shots at the Centre isn’t it?
Diptosh: The Left has only about one-10th of the votes and will require a lot of help in having Brinda Karat elected.
Mangesh Bind: Dear Diptosh, when we are going to give more power to our President?
Diptosh: We need not. Just let him define his political space. That is why I feel, it's my personal view, apolitical Presidents are better. I keep falling back on Narayanan and Kalam as best examples. Both had 21st Century humane perspectives.
Ashok Bagi: Sir, how is that our President hardly has any power but when it comes to selecting it, there is so much hype and hoopla?
Diptosh: Disagree. The President can influence decisions. I am not saying he can take decisions which are day-to-day, but he can influence large policy issues or large critical issues like Gujarat riots.
Ravi1: So is India going to be split to SC\ST\OBC (guess a round robin should be starting soon)reservation for this post as well?
Diptosh: I don't think that will happen. President is too important an institution to experiment along those lines. Some of our previous choices have been fortunately good.
Paritosh: Any President, from whatsoever political party he/she may be, can act only according to the provisions of the Constitution. So I feel, he/she has no room for being prejudiced towards his/her ideological political party in times of political crisis. But even then, political parties want their own man as in the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Why?
Diptosh: There are a lot of things which transpire in Lutyens bungalow zone and Raisina Hills that we don't get to see or know. My only request is don't underestimate the role of the President.
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Ashok Bagi: Diptosh, do we need a President at all?
Diptosh: Told you, we need one. It's essential in fact. As important as having the Supreme Court taking decisions.
Aditya: Well, I too favour Dr Kalam for a second term as he gives a lot of dignity to the post, but at no point of time has he indicated his wish for a second term. Then are we the media and the public forcing him into a second term when it appears that he is not interested in it? At least we should as citizens, respect his choice and leave him alone rather then bringing his name into such controversies unnecessarily.
Diptosh: That's your view. But are you sure if he had the backing of everybody, he wouldn't contest?
Nishad: Hello sir, my question is how many women actually have contested in the presidential election. I can only remember Capt Laxmi Sehgal contesting last time.
Diptosh: You are dead right. In fact, next time we should have a woman President.
Madhav: Is there a chance of another South Indian becoming a president this time as well. It has already been two in a row.
Diptosh: Now that's a provincial question. Rajdeep Sardesai informed me the other day that till now no Marathi or Bengali has occupied the country’s two top jobs, Prime Minister or President. But neither Rajdeep nor me are provincial persons and have any regional bias.
Ravis: Feel it hard to believe you say it’s difiifcult to implement a signature campaign for Kalam, when you literally drove the Jessica Lal cases with your light a candle?
Diptosh: Wait for our web poll and MP poll results. Let's see if Kalam gets the popular vote.
Harish Naik: Can anybody elect a President of the country, who kicks his party worker in front of the media, and gleefully abuse his opponents with a comment like ‘bankam’? An incumbent president should be above politics should be respected by people and not politicians! Are Mr Pranab Mukherjee or Mr Somnath Chatterjee suitalble to be elected for the country’s highest office?
Diptosh: Interesting observations. I agree both are politicians first.
Thirumalai: How can we differentiate the power of politicians and President.
Diptosh: A President's role requires huge stature, great dignity, profound understanding of the Constitution and since the time of Naryanan and Kalam, a right institution about popular pulse.
Keyur Koak: Diptosh, now the President Poll's picture is clear. Our most respected President Kalam is not wanting a second term. So only two person Mr NR Narayan Murthy and Mr Amitabh Bachchan are suitable for this Supreme Post of India, because they really represent India all over the world. Why political parties do not agree on Murthy or Bachchan?
Diptosh: Do you really believe either of the two will make a good President? I have my doubts.
Mayur: Dear Diptosh, don’t you think that President has to play a major role in certain situations so necessarily he should be a good politician. So why so much resistance for a political person on the chair.
Diptosh: I think the President is an evolving institution. And politics should not be left only to career politicians. Kalam and Narayanan did a great job in popular perception. 21st century is mostly about popular perception than anything else. Kalam even earned the epithet, People's President.
Vidyut: Does President in India have any powers except signing Bills introduced by Parliament. What difference does it make if President of India is not Dr Kalam?
Diptosh: Have responded to this before.
Pranav: Hello sir, I am very confused about the President issue. Mr Kalam has a very little chance due to upa politics,bs shekhawat's win will stand out as BJP's win and can UPA give Pranab Mukherjee and Karan Singh away because they are very important for the party and we are going to have elections in 2009. So do u think we can have a philosophical candidate with consensus this time also?
Diptosh: I personally would have preferred one, but that's is actually not happening.
TS: Do u personally think that Pranab Mukherjee is a suitable candidate for President?
Diptosh: I think he is a great politician.
PV Joshi: Hi Diptosh, is it depending on Mayavati? Actually a person should be like Mr Kalam.
Diptosh: Give me a name who would be the right replacement for Kalam. I know the politicians are thinking differently, but let's discuss a name which is a good alternative.
Deepak_IIT: Good evening, Diptosh da. Actually we saw in that IBN poll that after Kalam, Shekhawat got the maximum number of votes. (In fact more than 30%), outscoring all others in the fray. So don't u think that if he has such a high acceptance among the people (and since Kalam is ruled out), political parties should reach a consensus in his favour?
Diptosh: Ideally, yes.
Naga Praveen: Hi Diptosh, as per IBN President poll Bhairon Singh Shekawat is best choice. But do you think this is a true reflection of people's wish? As Internet is a place dominated by the more educated people (who will mainly vote for NDA) and if yes, why don’t you make familiar of some non-political personalities who are eligible for President’s post, which can bring some change in neutral political parties like third front to back them?
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Diptosh: Agree with you about non-political presidents and the fact that the web poll can have their own small biases. But where do you see the Third Front? I can't see the Third Front. Just now the Third Front is a collection of losers like Telegu Desam, ADMK, AGP and Samajwadi Party.
Ra.Karthik: Hello Sir. Is there any chance for a lady to become a President this time?
Diptosh: I am strong supporter. I thought and thought but couldn't find one straightaway.
OCPSuresh: Our current President is a highly learned scholar. But he has no power exercise of his own. He acts according to the advise of the Cabinet. In Bihar Assembly dissolution, he was condemned. He faces embarrassment because of the Cabinet. Now tell me do we need a President?
Diptosh: That was probably his only major blunder. Kalam has said so himself. I think he was a good President.
Ravi Chandran: Why do we really want a President?
Diptosh: Replied to this before.
Minerva:If one thinks out of the box, Fali S Nariman is quite an interesting option. What do you think sir?
Diptosh: Amazing. Just check out my preferences.
Sampath Kumar: Why don’t you make media glitz/impact about non-political or apolitical person so that we can have a person who will not easily budge to the ruling combine's whims and fancy?
Diptosh: Good suggestion. But aren't we doing that? And just hang on. I will be stating the names I prefer at the end of the chat session. That's a promise.
Har: Do you think we should have the office of President elected not by politicians but by an eminent mix of judiciary, democratic secular people so that we don't depend on Mayawatis and Modis of the world?
Diptosh: How will you choose such an electoral college. It's extremely difficult. I was just checking up this morning. Earlier we used to have great scholar-presidents like Radhakrishnan and Zakir Hussain. Nowadays all scholars are politically aligned. Can you name one scholar who will be accepted across the board. Things have become so politicised. The BJP will not agree to Amartya Sen’s name. And the president must be a kind of person who will make subtle changes in government policy without everybody and the world getting to know. He can't engage in warfare from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Gautam Vij: Hi Diptosh, I don't know how Narayana Murthy's name cropped up in this list of Presidential hopefuls. But don't you think that this post requires a dyed-in-the-wool (somewhat) political person? Murthy could not handle a Deve Gowda. What will come of him when he has to deal with the pack of hyenas in Delhi?
Diptosh: Not dyed-in-the wool at all. We require a pragmatic man who is also equipped with integrity. Kalam was a political greenhorn. Narayanan was also a relatively inexperienced person politically.
Seetharaman: Dr A Kalam is the darling President of most of the Indians, I am sure. Not only because of his achievements in his chosen field or casual approach to citizens of all ages and hues, but by the dignity that he oozes, when he walks, smiles, speaks etc. Most importantly, he asserts as a President should. Have you later on heard of the parliamentarian's proposed Bill to save themselves from ‘undue profits’ after it reached the President? The question is why ignore such a capable, honest man for the second term?
Diptosh: That dignity is proving to be expensive. Now the UPA politicians are demanding a political president.
Mujtaba: Hi Sir, is there any chances of Mr Kalam being elected once again to serve a second term in office.
Diptosh: Very little. I know he was the people's president and extremely popular. But if the politicians don't vote for him, he has little chance.
Madhav: Diptosh, I haven’t understood the concept of different point system for different states during a pres. poll. Can you explain that?
Diptosh: It will take a long time. Well, every MLA has a value, a value derived from dividing the total population of that particular state, say Uttar Pradesh, by the total number of MLAs multiplied by 1000. For example, every MLA of UP has a value of 208 while a Sikkim MLA has the lowest value of only 7. The total MLA value across the country comes to 5 lakh 40 thousand. Now the total MP value, Rajya Sabha Lok Sabha taken together is the same 5 lakh 40 thousand. In that case, every MP’s value is a little over 700.
Pooja: The role of the President has evolved in India. Don’t you think in the present scenario it is more relevant to have a pro-active and secular president than a mere puppet?
Diptosh: My personal views are that Narayanan and Kalam were great Presidents with minds of their own. Neither were pushovers or puppets.
MCR Reddy: Present incumbent Vice President BS Shekhawat deserves to be the President of India.
Diptosh: Shekhawat has his supporters and his political inclinations are well-known. Though I will say as a Vice-President he has won a lot of respect from the Opposition camp, but he doesn't have the numbers.
Rajesh Nair: Hai Mr.Diptosh, why should you didn't include Mr Shashi Tharoor in your list?
Diptosh: His name didn't come up for discussion. If it had figured, he would have been considered. Don't worry, Mr Tharoor is a young man. This country is still going through a phase of grey-haired presidents.
Preyas: What can we do to bring Dr Kalam back?
Diptosh: Not much. Maybe push the politicians. But it's already too late.
Vandit: Hi, now that it has become amply clear (as per my perception) that the public who has a little say in this matter is in favour of APJ whereas the Congress would like to have a political figure sympathetic to the current govt to become one. My question is knowing this fact what possible role media could play here?
Diptosh: Aren't we doing our best?
Suryaa: Except inaugurations and some lectures, addressing Parliament once a while, the President is just a head of state. Gone are the days where he can stabilise/destabilise the Central Govt. So why to worry who comes up?
Diptosh: I disagree with you. The President has a huge role, which is unstated, understated and seldom understood. Just take a closer look at the stints of Narayanan or Kalam in office and you'll agree with me.
Sourish: Can Laloo Prasad Yadav apply for the post? He has more political experience and huge support also. Then can he some day become the President of India? Just in case he becomes the President, will the gardens in Raisina Hill be converted to cow sheds?
Diptosh: That's a good one, but don't underestimate Laloo. Politically, I think, he is even more ambitious. He wants the Prime Minister's job, not the President's.
Madhav: Hi Diptosh, I am not supporting any party here, but what do you think about Karan Singh as President? Isn’t he qualified enough?
Diptosh: He is too much his own man and can have his own views. He might prove impractical for a political party.
Mamta: Do you think we're giving more importance to the post of President now than we ever have before?
Diptosh: 2009 is the General Election and what if the parties don't have the requisite numbers. The President becomes the deciding factor. Don't underestimate the President any more.
Cheena: How can you say President can be deciding role in case of a Hung House? By convention he has to call larger collision or single largest party to form the Govt. Right?
Diptosh: Yes, but there can be closer numbers than you saw last time. Look at the UPA majority at this point of time. It's wafer thin. Mayawati walks out and this government will have only the Left for survival. As for calling in the single largest party, Shankar Dayal Sharma did just that in 1996, but suppose some President believes that he would not call the single largest party but the larger coalition even if it had been formed post-election.
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Bagchi: Hi Diptosh, who has the greatest probability to become President out of concensus? If an election is carried out excluding Mayavati, who is the front-runner?
Diptosh: Interesting. A dark horse is yet to emerge. Kalam came out like a bolt from the blue in 2002 and his popularity was such that though his name was proposed by the BJP, the Congress had to fall in. Nobody who could have such a consensual acceptance is in sight at the moment. But you never know, we still have time.
Thirumalai: I think Kalam is the right person to be the President because the way he delivers his vision of future India in right way he has the great view about India.
Diptosh: Kalam is a very popular person.
Leo Gertrude: Do you think it’s time for us change our act on the role of President in our country?
Diptosh: I am not a votary of two centres of power. Let the President act as an instrument of checks and balances like, say for example, the Supreme Court is playing at the moment. The Prime Minister has to be the real executive.
Shankar: Do we really need a President? If your answer is yes... people call them rubber stamp. Then why have one more rubber stamp?
Diptosh: I have explained already, we need a President, especially more so in present times. If you appreciate the judiciary's role, then you can also appreciate that of the President. Didn't Narayanan block President's Rule in Bihar? Didn't Kalam block the appointment of controversial judges? Didn't they help out the government with a number of views? Narayanan told the BJP Government he didn't like Gujarat riots. Kalam was critical of the way he was forced to agree to President's rule in Bihar. Both had their skirmishes with the government of the day.
Sudeep: Hello sir, I wanted to know why the media is spending so much time on this presidential poll when the President, as we are taught in school, is a mere rubber stamp?
Diptosh: I have been explaining through the chat that the President's job is not entirely a rubber stamp. It's a little more than that.
SB: According to you who holds the qualities of becoming the President?
Diptosh: I will disclose my preferences for the job at the end of this session. I will explain why I am choosing those two names.
Ashish: What are the chances of a NDA candidate for the President post? Who can be the candidate from NDA?
Diptosh: Not too much. Except for the fact that Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the NDA frontrunner, is a great politician and has friends across the political spectrum. He can get votes from other parties, though I think it could be that he won't contest unless he is sure he is going to win.
Cheena: Don’t political inclination towards a party bring a bad name to the post?
Diptosh: It doesn't really. We have had political presidents. But I have a belief that apolitical presidents like Narayanan and Kalam are better choices. Narayanan incidentally was a politician, but he was more a diplomat than a politician. At least, I look at him that way.
Dakshesh: What do you think are the chances for Mr Shekhavat as BJP candidate?
Diptosh: Is in the race but needs numbers.
Leo Gertrude: Hi, common man like us always prefer apolitical leaders to be our next president. Why?
Diptosh: If you ask me, I will say let's not have an overtly political president. Whoever becomes president has to play a bit of politics, let's not fool ourselves into believing that president is not a political job. But you can't have presidents with a strong political alignment. At least, I believe Rashtrapati Bhavan should not be a purely political space.
Karthik BS: In a nation like India, where the post of being the highest citizen is a mere formality, don't you think that this big fuss over the topic is just a mere formality again? The president of the nation doesn't vest any powers in the Constitutional enforcement. This is a known fact and this huge debate and competition looks awkward to me. What do you want to say, sir?
Diptosh: I disagree and I have explained why. It's a very crucial post. And a lot of what the President does is behind-the-scene, nuanced and very subtle. We don't get to see it or, often, report about it.
Jai Hind: In our country Presidents have nothing to do much, except signing bills and granting death mercy appeal.
Diptosh: More than that, I have just explained.
P R Singh: Hi, in current circumstances who can become President? I do not think any body of calibre other than Kalam, is it right?
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Diptosh: I sincerely hope calibre and individual qualities were preferred. But most of our politicians think of other things like political loyalty. Everybody in Congress wants his/her own president, a president who would toe the political line.
Ravi S: I think you at CNN-IBN should initiate a signature campaign in order force the politicians to retain Kalam for the next tenure.
Diptosh: Great suggestion but difficult to implement.
Prabhu: Hi Diptosh, why the Left and Congress party don’t want Abdul Kalam to continue his term? The poll conducted by ibnlive.com also stresses on Abdul Kalam to be the next President, I am proud to have Kalam as my first citizen. I think it’s time to change the system, people should have rights to elect the president, what’s wrong with Kalam? I am really ashamed of our political leaders especially Congress and Communists. I thank Vajpayee and BJP for giving a great president to our nation.
Diptosh: The Communists were against Kalam being a strong proponent of India having the nuclear weapon. That's why they didn't support him. The Congress went with Kalam in 2002. This time, the UPA and the Left are together. And they want a President who will be more sympathetic to the coalition.
Randhir Singh: Sir don't you think that people of India should choose their own President?
Diptosh: As I pointed out a little earlier, India can't have two parallel centres of power. We already have the Prime Minister.
Bose: Hi Diptosh. From all your knowledge and experience, who will become President? Is it true that it is only Mayawati who can swing it either way?
Diptosh: Mayawati will play a crucial role, without doubt. My political instinct says UPA nominee has a fair chance going by what Mayawati's body language was this afternoon. And as far as UPA nominees go, Pranab Mukherjee is definitely the frontrunner.
19daUNRa: Hi Diptosh, my question is why is ibnlive conducting a poll on who should be the next president? Is this going to influence the government’s decision in anyway?
Diptosh: With the president's office becoming so popular, we thought there was a huge volume of interest in it. In fact, have already answered so many questions, I think we were absolutely right in pushing the issue to the web jurisdiction.
Ajay: Hello Sir, Why AB is a proposed name for President poll? Does he know any thing in politics? Will it not be better if people can understand that he is just an entertainer?
Diptosh: Ok let me say openly that I don't like AB's name being floated. I agree wholeheartedly he is a bad choice.
R Ganesan: We had earlier eminent personalities like Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr S Radhakrishnan and Dr Zakir Hussain as our President, who were elected to the top post by consensus of all parties. Why this time they should do like this?
Diptosh: I pointed out that it is very difficult to find out politically unbiased scholars of international repute these days. Name me one who is neither a Leftist or a Rightist.
Nagendra: Hi, my question is why Abdul J Kalam Sir is not considered by Congress led UPA government for the second term. And why are they bringing all politicians for president’s post? Kalam deserves the position and we are lucky to have him as the President of India. Why Congress is keen on bringing all politicians to that position?
Diptosh: I think I have replied to this.
Roopesh: Hi, Diptosh, in what way will the UP elections affect the presidential polls?
Diptosh: Simple. Mayawati will give the votes that matter, the final votes.
Puneet: What are the chances of Sri Shekhawat?
Diptosh: Not entirely out of the race, as of now but he needs numbers.
Veerendra S: Is Mr Narayana Murthy the best person to lead this country?
Diptosh: Don't think so. He has the ideal company-builder's mind. I doubt if those qualities can be best used for nation-building.
Anjali: Hi Diptosh, we have been missing your writings since you moved on to television. Tell me when and where are you going to start writing again. You are of the rare breed, we can't let you go this way. It will be a big loss for Indian journalism.
Diptosh: I have a blog in this channel. Just track ibnlive.com.
hfghgh:Why is BJP not interested in Kalam anymore this time around?
Diptosh: They don't have the numbers. And Shekhawat has been such a party loyalist for so many years. How can the BJP ignore his wishes and overlook him?
Prashant: Which way you think Maya will swing?
Diptosh: If she gets the benefits she is looking for, she will go with the UPA. At least, it looks like that way.
Priya: Hi I want to know what role do political parties exactly have in deciding who the president will be.
Diptosh: MLAs and MPs elect the president.
Neerajn: Hello Diptosh, with Kalam out of the race, who do you think could emerge as the dark horse in the race?
Diptosh: Pranab is the UPA frontrunner, Shekhawat is the NDA frontrunner; till now UPA has more than five lakh voting points and NDA has more than four lakh voting points. UPA has the edge.
Tushi: Why is there such a furor over the presidential polls this time? Has the presidential polls being reduced to a game of the multi-party system in India?
Diptosh: Kalam has been an extremely popular President. He has added a lot to the office. That's why there is so much interest.
Nitesh: With Mayawati wining the election do you see possibility of her pushing for her party person as candidate or a Dalit leader for president.
Diptosh: Don't think she will push her own man. What she might do is extract a nice price for supporting a particular candidate.
Srikanth: Hi Diptosh , I think you ( CNN-IBN ) should do better through your channel, to promote the idea of continuing to have a non-politically biased president?
Diptosh: Thanks for the suggestion. Media has become pro-active but we aren't that powerful to influence such major decisions
Meetu Jain: Dada, if Somnath gets to be prez do we get lunch?
Diptosh: No.
Samrat: Who should be the president of India after Dr Kalam?
Diptosh: It looks more like a person having UPA and Mayawati's backing. Pranab Mukherjee right now enjoys an edge.
Shekhar: Before letting you know my preference, I would like to ask you who do you think is the best fit for President of our country? In today's world of corruption and deception, we as Indians really want to choose the best person as President (like Dr Kalam) who would do something for the benefit of the country. So, please advise.
Diptosh: I can only discuss my preferences at 5 pm when the chat session is over.
Anand: I prefer to retain Dr Abdul Kalam. In case of preferring other than him it is to elevate the Vice-President to the top most position. Never and not to succumb to the pressure from UPA allies for their own candidates. Or let the law be rewritten to select and elect the President of this country by people directly.
Diptosh: A lot of people want a second term for Kalam. I have already said he was a great president. Difficulty is that if you look at the history of Indian presidency, nobody except Babu Rajendra Prasad got a second term.
Sreeram: President in Indian constitution is a powerless head. Why do we need to spend mony on such a gubernatorial post by giving him a big bungalow to stay and other charges when he is useless or puppet of their respective political masters?
Diptosh: It's not as simple as that. If you look at the tenures of the last two presidents, Narayanan and Kalam, you'll realise they influence a lot of government decisions. They had their own great opinions on Article 356 and on the death sentence. They blocked a number of unfair decisions taken by governments of the day. Of course, they didn't have unlimited powers. But I feel, they were both very good presidents.
Sreeram: People all over India have highest regards for President Kalam, however, political parties in India simply want a rubber stamp/figurative piece in Rashtrapati Bhavan. What is this democracy called or be termed?
Diptosh: A lot of people like Kalam. He has lent great dignity to the Presidential institution over the past five years. But the politicians have their reasons. Kalam could be an uncomfortable as well as unpredictable proposition for a few.
Sandeep: Hi, Diptosh I wonder how come Amitabh's name figures in your list of choices?
Diptosh: Well, you can't deny that his name did come up for discussion. It was thrown up by some individuals and Bachchan did occupy political space after that. We didn't want to ignore him. And there, in fact, is a debate of having non-political or apolitical presidents. We have had great presidents from outside the political theatre in the past. Take for example, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Dr Zakir Hussain and even recently, APJ Abdul Kalam.
Sreeram: In Parlimentary elections, people do not have choice of selecting the "person" {read not leader}. In short one is forced to select or vote on individual party basis. Political parties select people based on the monies that they donate to party coffers or on highest levels of sycophancy. People cannot objectively vote on any subject because of party whipping policies. In presidential election, same thing happens. There is no individual merit in either case. Then where is democracy or what is this democracy as envisaged by our so-called greatest architects of constitution?
Diptosh: I think your own answer is buried in your question. The Presidential election is such a complicated process. But the politicians are elected and they in turn elect the President. Besides, look at the positive side of it. It is very expensive to go to the people to elect a President. We'll end up spending crores like in a general election.
Kingshuk Biswas: Dear sir, a straight answer can we do anything to force Mr Kalam to continue his tenure ?
Diptosh: Not much, the voters are all politicians, MPs and MLAs.
Mithun: Of all these names popping out daily for president race do you think is it necessary to create such a hype because once elected only on January 26 everyone needs a president. What’s your say on this?
Diptosh: Well, the president's job is becoming a little more interesting and politically relevant these days. They have to take some very crucial decisions and with major parties like Congress and BJP falling far short of majority, they are often required to fulfill the critical role of overseeing the formation of the government. For all you know after 2009 general elections, the president may have a big role.
Diptosh: It was nice chatting with everybody on the web. Personally, strictly my personal views, I thought with Kalam and Narayanan, we had come to a consensus that we could have apolitical presidents who would be conscientious, humane and men/women with a great vision of India's future.
True, Narayanan was a political person but not as political as a Pranab Mukherjee may be. I thought that the Indian President can, in future, be strong people who act as the government's conscience.
My choice (strictly personal) is Fali S Nariman – great liberal mind, has a great 21st century vision, conscientious, will not accept politician's instruction lying down, legally very sound.
Gopal Gandhi – great liberal mind again. Has a personal vision of his own, again conscientious, has an independent mind.
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