This Presidential election has thrown up some surprises. First, came from Sonia Gandhi and the candidature of Pratibha Patil. What a contrast between President APJ Abdul Kalam and her! Going by the electoral college arithmetic, it is being said that Pratibha is sure to win. But the newly formed United Nationalist Progressive Alliance (UNPA) has thrown an astounding surprise by announcing its support for a second term to President Kalam, knowing fully well that months back when Vajpayee, Advani and Rajnath Singh went to him requesting him for the same, he refused and said that unless ruling party and the Opposition arrive at a consensus he would not consider. It was a very categorical and emphatic response.

The second surprise came from Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Vice-President and an aspirant for President's post. Within hours of the UNPA announcement, Shekhawat offered to withdraw his candidature if President Kalam agreed to contest. Shekhawat praised Kalam profusely.

In fact, both the UNPA's resolution and Shekhawat's reaction appeared in newspapers simultaneously. When UNPA representatives, under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu, went to meet President Kalam, it was his turn to give a surprise. He said he would contest if there was "certainty" of victory. The answer was a trap for Kalam. If "certainty" was that crucial it would mean accepting defeat without a contest. But if the word "certainty" was meant to bring pressure on supporters to efficiently manage the elections, it was understandable.

In the Chennai conclave of UNPA, superstar Rajnikant's name was also discussed, besides Farookh Abdullah and Fatima Bi. At this stage, a suggestion from journalist MJ Akbar was considered and it was decided to request Kalam to reconsider.

As far as Sonia Gandhi is concerned, she is planning a long-term strategy. Dozens of schemes for minorities are part of such a strategy. Though it is detrimental to national interest, her priority is the Muslim vote-bank. Besides this, she wants an extra loyal person in Rashtrapati Bhavan, 7 Race Course Road and Nirvachan Sadan.

During the 2009 General Election, Navin Chawla would be the Chief Election Commissioner, a man exposed as her 'yes' man. Time and again, his scandalous behaviour was been written about. Over 200 MPs gave a signed memorandum for his removal.

But, he is being shielded by Sonia Gandhi and his loyalty to her is very transparent. She has already installed a puppet Prime Minister. All important decisions are taken by her with the help of her coterie.

A recent example is interesting. Manmohan Singh called retired Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, asking him to contest for the post of secretary general of Commonwealth. India had a fair chance of winning. Saran agreed as the Prime Minister himself proposed his name.

But, it didn't take place. The former Indian representative in UN Kamlesh happens to be related to Suman Dubey, a close aide to Sonia Gandhi. Manmohan Singh's proposal was turned down and Kamlesh's candidature announced.

Now Sonia Gandhi wants a rubber stamp President too. The first name floated by the Congress was that of Sushil Kumar Shinde. As Mayawati did not want a more powerful Harijan in politics, she vetoed him. She proposed a Brahmin for president and Pranab Mukherjee's name was floated. But he lacks the stamp of total loyalty. For, once he showed his ambition to become Prime Minister after Indira Gandhi's assasination.

ND Tewari could not deliver victory to the Congress in Uttarakhand and so became ineligible. Shivraj Patil's name circulated for quite some time but Left Front vetoed him. Then came Pratibha Patil.

Sonia Gandhi's priority is UP. If Pratibha Patil wins and becomes the next President of India, the UP Government may be dismissed. The Governor of UP, TV Rajeswar, is ever ready to recommend it. The Taj corridor case may be re-opened.

As Mulayam Singh Yadav is facing Sonia Gandhi's ire every day, Mayawati too may repent. Opposition-led Governments may become victims of Article 356, unheard of during the NDA regime.

To consolidate power, Sonia can go to any extent. This is why the President's election is vital to Indian democracy. The UPA Government has earlier shown its intentions in Goa, Jharkhand and Bihar through their loyal governors.

In a particular case, the Supreme Court castigated Bihar Governor Buta Singh. For the remaining two years of UPA, some Opposition-led Governments may be dismissed.

Courtesy: www.dailypioneer.com, June 24, 2007