President8217;s new script raises eyebrows

Instead, his midnight speechin Central Hall, to mark the 50th year of Indian independence, in which he had made an impassioned plea to deal with corruption in public life, was televised to the nation.

Since the closing ceremony of the fiftieth year celebrations is taking place in the Central Hall on the morning of August 15, there is no point in the President making another speech the previous night, it is argued. After all, his address to the MPs will also be directed to the entire nation.

That, however, is not the only controversial aspect of the President8217;s action. It is more his decision to give an interview in place of his address to the nation that has kicked off a debate in political circles.

Critics call it an exercise in self-projection. In our constitutional scheme, the President is a titular head and he should not air his personal views on issues but remain above controversy. Publicly he should project only the views and policies of the Government in power. Some blame former Prime Minister I K Gujral for setting theprecedent. Instead of his customary farewell speech as Prime Minister earlier this year, he was interviewed on Doordarshan for 45 minutes.

Though normally the President8217;s Independence Day and Republic day speeches are his own, his words are meant to project him as the rallying point for the nation. It is only his address to the joint session of Parliament at the start of the Budget session that reflects the policies of the Government.

Narayanan8217;s midnight address last year was drafted by him and not by the UF Government. Narayanan, sober and reflective, has been keen to lay down new traditions as head of state. He has been interviewed by journalists four times after he took over as President.

He is also known to have expressed his opinion to the Government on several controversial issues. He wrote to the Prime Minister expressing his concern about the temple that is being constructed in Ayodhya. He has also been unhappy about the manner in which the Government has antagonised China in the aftermath ofthe May explosions.

Narayanan was sent to Beijing in the mid-seventies as the first Indian Ambassador to China after the 1962 war, and was instrumental in giving a momentum to Sino-India ties.

When the Government refused to accept the panel of judges sent by Chief Justice M M Punchhi, the President referred the issue to the Supreme Court. He is believed to have had something to do with the idea of letting a larger Bench of the Apex Court finally settle the issue which has been a contentious one between the judiciary and the executive for the last five years.

He started to acquire the image of an unconventional President with his decision to send back the Cabinet8217;s recommendation for Central rule in Uttar Pradesh last year. His will prevailed and the then Prime Minister Gujral decided to back out.

His supporters argue that the President8217;s recent decision has to be viewed more as Narayanan8217;s desire to reach out to the people in a new way than anything else.