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Governance in India brings challenges that are unique, as well as overwhelming. This is because of the sheer numbers involved and of the astounding diversity of its populace. India also has the baggage of many more years of history: of wars, conquests, subjugation, traditions and absorption of newer cultures.
It is in this context that an Indian PM needs these qualities roughly in the order of importance:
- Inspirer: India’s nation building and democracy, I would argue, is still a work in progress. It is therefore important that the country has a popular and a charismatic leader who is able to unite the diverse populace and inspire them to work towards a common objective in mind of nation building. The leader must therefore be an excellent communicator with the people, which implies the ability to articulate and sell his/her policies and actions to the people in simple language that they can relate to.
- 2. Ability to work across the aisle: Given the diversity of the country in almost every aspect of life, mere large parliamentary majorities will not get governance going beyond a point. A national leader has to have the guts and the humility to even stoop to conquer, if necessary. Negotiating with diverse opinions, deal making, reaching out to political opponents and consensus building are a real l necessity for government to work better.
- 3. Political experience: To be an impact making PM, ground level political experience is very necessary: in mobilizing people, dealing with the pull and pressures of diverse demands at the local, state and national level along the way, as well as a personal exposure and some experience in street level politics. This will also give the leader the ability to “size up” and deal with all kinds of personalities; recognize inherent skills and abilities in fellow political travelers and build a trusted team of associates and followers along the way.
- Team leader with ability to take risks: The PM may be called upon to take momentous decisions during various crises in the health, security, natural calamities and navigate world power rivalries. The PM must have an ear to the various shades of opinion, yet be willing to take a decision that has the best interests of the nation at heart, as opposed to taking a “safe” or the “least controversial” way out. The PM must be willing to stand up and face the bouquets and the brick-bats that are inevitable.
- Statesmanship: I would say that if the PM demonstrates statesmanship that elevates the country’s profile on the world stage, then its a bonus that we must cherish. This also affects us as a nation in terms of national security and economic interests. For this, the PM must be able to articulate global concerns and have suggestions to deal with them, and specially build bridges with what is now known as the Global South.
Let us reflect on each of these preferred qualities and associate them with various personalities next year as we seek to elect, more than ever, a PM rather than a party. If so inclined, one may even work out a weighted average of these qualities for contesting personalities. With this, I wish India, our dear country, the best of luck for the exam that we, as voters, will face soon.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.