That space atop Raisina Hill

As politicians and pundits get serious about the presidential polls, the blogs are agog. They even have a suggestion: Why not Bill Clinton?

A petition to get President Kalam has been going around the internet for over eight months now, so when amidst rumours of Shivraj Patil, Somnath Chatterjee and Pranab Mukherjee, the name Pratibha Patil came up, the blogosphere went into a tizzy. IndieQuill applauded the latest nominee lovingly called 8216;President Aunty8217; and introduced her to its readers 8212; 8220;You know her, of course, from8230; er, um8230;8221; A list of pros and cons was devised. The most convincing pro 8212; 8216;not Bhairon Singh Shekhawat8217;.

A victim of tokenism? Don8217;t feel offended, Pratibhatai, some said, after all as Hindustaniat explains so many before you have been token presidents 8212; Sikh, Muslim, what8217;s the difference? In fact, it8217;s because she is difficult to oppose 8212; India Interacts calls it 8220;the advantages of being a lightweight8221;.

Try the question Grandma8217;s Tales puts up: why does the Union government oppose Kalam if he appears to be the people8217;s choice? Mixed Bag pushes further and asks for a merit-based answer, why either Patil or Kalam? But it adds an interesting little sidenote 8212; Pratibha Patil8217;s wikipedia page was updated instantly. So, our netas have discovered the internet. Who knew?

Many are unsure if Patil can live up to Kalam 8212; as The Utterances of a Peculiar Mindset wonders, 8220;where is the stature?8221; The Indian Muslim Blog is not impressed with Pratibhatai8217;s history 8212; the Mughals were not invaders as they settled down in India, and the purdah system was already there 8212; and she is confused between purdah and hijab. Tut, tut.

But do we even need a president, asks E=mc2, calling the post 8220;a waste of resources8221;. Patil may have more political merit than Kalam, but since the country apparently has no idea of what merit is, what does it matter? The thought is echoed by India Syndicate, which wonders why it makes a difference at all. And more importantly, who is going to Parliament while all these deliberations and negotiations happen? On the other hand, My Desi Blog is suspicious about the fight parties are putting up for this post. Is it because all concerned parties want to be able to use and abuse? the special powers of the president?

And the blogs are not fooled by the argument that this is a proud day for women8217;s emancipation. India Uncut wonders if the BJP goes against any future choice the Congress makes for any position 8212; and if the candidate is a man 8212; will it mean that it is 8220;blatantly against the cause of men?8221; Really, at least let her ride on her laurels!

So what can be done about this sad state of affairs? The nomination seems like settling for second best; the person chosen is stature-less; and the justification for the choice seems empty at best.

Never fear, suggestions are here!

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Churimuri has a novel idea. Why not appoint Bill Clinton as president of India. No, really. Among the stellar reasons given, the three most convincing are: if the Indian cricket team can have a foreign coach, why not a foreign president? If Hillary wins, and with Bill in Rashtrapati Bhawan, the nuclear deal is a given. But the last tops it all, because, 8220;finally, we will have someone who will make use of all 340 rooms atop Raisina Hill.8221;

We8217;re not done. It8217;s India Time has another suggestion. Why not Musharraf as president of India?. Before you gasp with shock, read on. It8217;s the only way to bring democracy to Pakistan ha ha, it will be seen as a warm gesture and Pakistan will give up its claim to Kashmir we8217;re listening, Musharraf will have to come with his nuclear briefcase making the sub-continent safer go on8230; and finally, he only fears mango trees, and since India has so many mango trees, it will be enough to make him behave8230; Sold!