Day 16 – Q 2.Have posts of the President and the Vice-President become less apolitical today? Critically examine.
2. Have posts of the President and the Vice-President become less apolitical today? Critically examine.
क्या राष्ट्रपति और उपराष्ट्रपति का पद पहले की अपेक्षा कम अराजनैतिक हो गई है? समालोचनात्मक जांच करें।
Approach:
- Introduction
- Have the posts become less apolitical today- points both in favor and against.
- Conclusion- Way ahead
Introduction:
Indian constitution envisages the President as head of state and Vice President as chairman of Rajya Sabha. These posts by virtue of their role is expected to be apolitical in nature.
The posts are still apolitical:
- The Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the President have to resign from the primary membership of the party to which they belong before getting appointed. They are expected to act neutrally.
- They have raised matters of public importance and social issues at various platforms.
- Greater coherence between current President and Prime Minister indicates the apolitical nature of President.
- Various presidents including both from political background (President Pranab Mukherjee) and non-political background (former President APJ Abdul Kalam) have served the post apolitically.
The posts have become less apolitical today:
- Latest election to the post of President showed how the process was politicised. There is also increase in people from political background contesting the elections.
- President belonging to same party as the ruling party may find difficult to stay apoltical. The discretionary powers at times becomes ineffective.
- Pardoning power of the President has been politicised in recent times.
- Political parties always strive hard to have their own member elected for these posts.
Conclusion:
Both President and Vice President have the responsibility of upholding the constitution, to do this well they need to stay apolitical. In this light 2nd ARC’s recommendation of keeping a cooling off period for politicians between active politics and posts like President and Vice-President will help.
Best answer: Abhishek Singh
