With the announcement of candidates by both ruling and opposition parties for the presidential election, curtains have finally come down on high-pitched speculation spree on candidacy that has been going on for quite some time. Undoubtedly, the President of India is the most significant position in Indian democratic system. A host of articles – from 52 to 62 of the constitution – provide information about the election process, powers, functions and impeachment process of the President. Being the head of the state, the first citizen of the country and the most important part of the Union Executive along with Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and Attorney-General of India, President of India is also a symbol of solidarity, unity and integrity of the nation. Hence, the election to this top job becomes all the more important for the nation.
In between, owing to us deriving much of the inspiration from the British constitution, a comparison is often drawn between President of India and British Queen. Moreover, they do share several similar rights and powers in their respective nations like both can summon the parliament, however the fact remains that the Constitution of India gives much more power to the President to protect the constitutional democracy of the country. A British Monarch can be questioned by the House of Lords, whereas the President of India is not answerable to any court. When parliament is in session, the British Monarch is restricted to visit foreign lands, while there is no such restriction ever applies to the President of India. British Crown is hereditary, whereas Indian President is elected every five years.
Sometimes, comparisons are also drawn between Indian and American system of governance. However, it is widely regarded that Indian constitution favours pluralism in true sense more than the US system of governance, inspiring even a small group of people to form their political party and participate in the election process, whereas American system majorly favours only two party system and elections are very costly, making it very difficult for a simple individual to go up in the political hierarchy, however in Indian system even a poor can wish for the top job.
This has resulted in making the US model highly bipolar deepening the democratic divide in a very deploring way. The ever-charged tussle between the Republicans and Democrats is restricted not just to the political corridors of the United Nations, not just to the people living in America but traverses beyond the US borders, globally. On the other hand, In India there’s multi-layered, multi-faceted prospects, opportunities and opinions. The systems here share a beautiful blend with the country’s diversity of religion, culture, gender, social background, language etc. “It is the strength of Babasaheb’s Constitution that a gentleman hailing from deprived and exploited class has become the president (Ram Nath Kovind), while the vice-president ( M Venkaiah Naidu) is from a farmer’s family,” PM Modi once said in a rally.
Moreover, India is a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic with a parliamentary form of government which is federal in structure with unitary features. There is a council of ministers with the Prime Minster as its head to advice the President who is the constitutional head of the country. Similarly in states there is a council of ministers with the chief minister as its head, who advices the Governor.
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