Well, it seems there still is lot of time. But when one gets an overdose of all the discussions and memes on demonetisation, how to come out of the boredom?
Well, we can discuss about the possible presidential candidates of India. Of course, BJP would have majority in the Electoral College to get its candidate selected. The irresponsible way in which Congress behaved in the last two years, Narendra Modi would not listen to any propositions from the opposition. RSS, if all those news about its stranglehold on BJP are correct, may prefer to install one of their person. However, if one goes by the past history of Narendra Modi, he never gave RSS any preferential treatment and even in this case, he would listen to them of course, but go by what would suit him in the future.
Coming to the candidates, first one in the prospective next president list would be Pranab Mukherjee. To his credit, current president did not act in any manner that is averse to the government, except taking pot-shots on the intolerance and other issues related to minorities and secularism etc. For that matter, Mukherjee is a better president, especially when his predecessor was Pratibha Patil. But, Modi may want someone who can be proactively helpful to him in the matters of governance. And the Congress background of the current incumbent makes him less appealing. By denying Mukherjee another term, Modi may be sending a message to BJP’s oldest ally as Shiv Sena had already recommended Mukherjee for next term. All in all, chances of Pranab Mukherjee living in the Rashtrapati Bhavan for another five years seems to be less.
Coming to fresh candidates, the first one on the list is the man who lived his entire life as a second man, always waiting for his time to come. Lal Krishna Advani, though was the mass leader of BJP had to make way for Atal Behari Vajpayee to become Prime Minister, as they needed support of other parties. He led BJP in two general elections as Prime Ministerial candidate and lost. Finally, he had to cede the prime position to Narendra Modi. In normal situation, perhaps Narendra Modi might have asked the old lord of Ram Rath to don the mantle of first citizen of India; but in his bitterness of failure Advani always tried to make Modi’s life miserable. Mind you, Modi may not be one to forgive and forget. So, unless RSS prevails on Modi to make Advani the next president, his chances are remote. Given his advanced age (he will be 90 in 2017), it is even doubtful whether RSS considers him for the pole position.
Another man from the same stable was Murli Manohar Joshi, who may still be able to influence RSS, but may not be preferred Modi and his friends, given his individuality. Also, the government may not gain anything from him. And he is also too old in the eyes of Narendra Modi and may not suit to the post.
Chance candidate from the ruling establishment, if BJP wanted a politician to become president is Sushma Swaraj. Except for her association to the Reddy’s mining scam and her current ill-health, she would suit the requirement. Her tenure as the minister for External Affairs, playing second fiddle to Modi may come in handy. It was not her image as a helping minister, but as a seasoned administrator she can share some load off Modi’s shoulders. She may become the ambassador of India to the world in true sense. As Modi would be spending more time in India in coming years, he may need someone to keep the equation he developed with the world intact. And she would fit correctly. However, it would depend on how her health would be in coming months.
One name that made rounds for the next president on a serious note was Ratan Tata. Given his penchant for everything (perhaps I failed to pick correct adjective here), Tata may accept the proposition and render his services. He may even bequeath his share of Tata group to government of India or the Army, if he becomes the president. Having Tata with him (Modi can’t risk making Ambani the next president for it would turn into a scandal. Of course, Ambani may also deny as he may be earning less as PoI) would benefit Modi in streamlining Indian industry. Tata may also help establishing Modi’s Make in India program. Only hitch in Tata becoming the next president is Cyrus Mistry. Tata need to move on from being a businessman, if he intends to become statesman.
Another name from the industry that did rounds was of Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys. He tried to emulate Bill Gates and got Nilekani who oversaw the much maligned and used Aadhar card project. No doubt, he was one of the pioneers of Indian software revolutions, but perhaps his proximity to Congress may not appeal to BJP. His views on how America lost because they failed to elect Hillary Clinton may simply put him in another category of leaders, but definitely not in the race to the prime position. But, if BJP accepts, he could become a consensus candidate. Even otherwise, he may well enter the race as a candidate of opposition, but he may not prefer to be so. After all, he is a wise man who chooses his battles carefully.
If Narendra Modi wanted to play Atal Behari Vajpayee, he may go for the other software tycoon, Azim Premji. Azim Premji as the next president may become Modi’s Kalam.
He could bring the combined experience of Tata and Murthy to help Modi, for his business ranged from Soaps and oils to Software. Whether one likes to see it the way or not, there would be someone to see it through the prism of religion or secularism. Even here he would fit perfectly. If Modi goes for Premji, he would almost repeating the act of Vajpayee. Only difference would be Vajpayee didn’t have majority in the Electoral College, but Modi will have. If Modi selects Premji, he would not be doing it out of compulsion of needing a consensus candidate. Abdul Kalam, was a consensus candidate and was rejected another term by Congress (Just for this reason, Modi may well deny another term to Pranab da).
Wild horse into the race can be Chandrababu Naidu. Of course, when I checked the list of other eligible political candidates, I perused the list of chief ministers and there was no other candidate that can come close to Naidu. Chandrababu Naidu could well bring much administrative experience with him to India. His expertise in planning and implementing infrastructure projects that was the backbone of BJP administration may help Modi a lot. Politically, though he is not from BJP (don’t even think of RSS), he was the only ally BJP had since Vajpayee days, who remained really an ally. Except Mulayam Singh, who himself considers a candidate, most of the Janta parivar may also support Naidu as the next president. However, Chandrababu cannot afford to leave the state of Andhra to his son, who is as famous as Rahul Gandhi in the state and prefer to rule Andhra as long as he can. Even BJP has nothing to gain anything politically from this move and so Naidu may well remain in his state.
Surprise choices:
People may think of Arun Jaitley as the next president, but he is too young and too valuable to Modi for him to be considered. However, Prakash Singh Badal may be considered, if BJP-SAP coalition comes back to power in Punjab. ESL Narasimhan, former IB head and current governor of AP and Telangana may be another choice for the next president. Given his intelligence background, Modi may prefer to have him as the chief of Army Staff. Had VK Singh not messed himself in political quagmire, he also might have had a chance to enter the race at least. Then, there is Kiran Bedi, currently governor of Puducherry. But, Modi may well pull another name out of thin air. May be the famous diamond merchant from Surat, who gifts flats and cars to his employees on Deepavali.