How about a veto Rashtrapathi ji ?

I just love it when all checks and balances in our democratic system fail in one go.

First it was the government. Then it was the opposition parties. Finally, it was the legislature, our parliament filled with elected members and elders. I did not see any judicial activism either.

Just when we thought all was lost, lo! we have our last hope in the system stand up and stand by the country when needed the most. All the others shamefully turn the other way leaving the President to step in and prevent injustice from being done.

The President very rightly sent back the Bill that attempted to save the seats of big wig political leaders from the Office of Profit law. For this Mr.President, I salute you.

Less said the better about the BJP led opposition. Its a crying shame that they are yet to get their act together. They jump into the streets for all sorts of minor issues but for this, they seem so paralysed. A few words here, a few words there is all that one hears.

The system of checks and balances that our founding fathers established has collapsed. Guess they did not imagine a day would come when even a coalition governemnt would be able to get away with acts of ommision and commision. Parliament has disgraced the country.

For all the tall talk that our beloved speaker of the lower house throws at anyone passing by, it is shameful that he is benefiting from this. And our very own Saint Sonia who is believed to be the sanest person in the congress today, has little to say. Where has her so called saintly advice gone ?

The Indian National Congress should rename itself has Indian anti-national Congress and the BJP should become the Biggest Jokers Party.

In all this tamasha, its left to the Rashtrapathi to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the country. And his logic for sending back the bill is water tight. And the next day we have our great law minister saying - the bill would be returned back to the President in its present form. What a character !

Its anyones guess what the President would do if its returned back to him for his assent.

Many legal minds have opined that the President would then have to sign it. While others say he could perhaps just sit on it. Like President Zail Singh did on the Postal Act.

And if the President did just that, we would have a grand crisis of sorts landing smack down in New Delhi.

What would the EC (Election Commision) do then ? Would they proceed to disqualify the members of Parliament ? Then would one disqualified member approach the Supreme Court asking it to direct the President to give his assent to the bill ?

I am quite excited these days. When democratic institutions cross turfs and clash, it is very interesting to watch. Wait and watch, promise there is bound to be fire works. Perhaps even a threat by the President to resign if he is forced to do anything against his "inner voice".

Anyways food for thought. Should the President be given veto powers. Should he/she be allowed to refuse assent to bills unless approved by 2/3rds of Parliament. Meaning, if the President veto's a bill presented to him by Parliament, the only way Parliament can negate the veto is through a 2/3rds majority vote for the legislation.