After you, ma146;am

Pratibha Patil8217;s first speech as president was faultless, so was the ceremony 8212; in attendance were BJP leaders who were vocally critical of her during her candidature. The message that the institution of presidency has to be insulated from political likes and dislikes has therefore been established quickly. The same message has to be cast in stone over the next five years and there8217;s only one person who can do it 8212; the president herself. Mrs Patil will and should enjoy the reflexive goodwill all democracies accord new incumbents in high public offices. She can build on this by quickly establishing in practice the constitutional theory of presidency. She now belongs to no political party. She8217;s president to all political parties. Her every non-ceremonial decision as well as some ceremonial ones must pass the test of impartiality. Every citizen with a stake in the republic8217;s image and substance must wish her well. But 8212; and here is proof that vibrant democracies are demanding of all offices however high 8212; it is also incumbent on Mrs Patil that she clears up questions that came up during her campaign for presidency.

The Congress, or any other party, simply cannot speak for a president. Neither, we are sure, would the president want anything like that. It would be in everyone8217;s interest if the president takes the initiative to ensure that the institution she represents is baggage-free. There are clearly, to take one example, genuine grievances nurtured by depositors in the bank Mrs Patil was closely associated with. In a democracy, such issues don8217;t melt away because institutions always have to work to earn people8217;s credibility. We are sure the president who spoke of 8220;great responsibility8221; in her maiden speech will fully recognise the imperative of being proactive on these issues. Such presidential actions would also have to focus on republic8217;s first family in so far as any conduct has a bearing on matters in the domain of public interest.

The new president would also be conscious of the legacy left by her predecessor. There is genuine expectation now that presidency should be seen to be more relevant to citizens. Here8217;s wishing Mrs Patil8217;s five years are marked by the same spirit of creative popular engagement.