His mothers son

In theory,Indias first citizen is above the hustle-bustle of politics. Her decisions must be guided by constitutional propriety rather than partisan exigency. Certainly,in practice,in choosing a candidate for the top job,the ruling dispensation will be tempted to choose one amongst its own or close to its own for this most powerful of positions. The most realistic measure of a president therefore is: once elected,will she be seen to rise above the fray? The manner of Pratibha Patils ascent had raised many questions. But its been hoped that as president,she would no longer remain beholden to the party that chose her. It is in this context that we should assess the disquiet over news that the Congress party has handed out a Maharashtra assembly ticket to the presidents son.

In defending this choice,Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan claims that Rajendra Shekhawat has not been given a ticket because of his lineage. But Shekhawat is a first-time nominee,and the incumbent he has dislodged as Congress candidate from Amravati is a popular two-time MLA. Shekhawat would not,to put it mildly,be the most obvious candidate for the ticket; it is unlikely that his parentage played no role in his selection. This alone raises the vexed question of dynasties in politics,a trend which the list of Maharashtra assembly candidates only accentuates. The charitable view is that Shekhawat will be ultimately judged by voters,and that his blood-line must not disqualify him. But the other view is that such dynasties represent a moribund party-system unable to hold internal elections and draw fresh blood. The high constitutional position held by a member of this particular dynasty only adds to the worry.

Shekhawats candidacy is not without precedent. In the early 70s,the son of then-president V.V. Giri contested an election. The absence of controversy then,however,does not make the current case any less open to scrutiny. A precedent does not excuse,nor does the past permit. In addition,that was before the current phase of a genuinely competitive multi-party system set in. The Congress candidate from Amravati does disservice to his mother,and to the neutrality of the office she holds. His candidacy is deeply regrettable.