The President Takes Over

A time has come when any intelligent and patriotic citizen of India has a right to be alarmed about our political system. This novel is about a President of India who is patriot enough to be alarmed at the state of political and economical situation in the country. He declares emergency, dismisses the government in power, and tries to rejuvenate the political systems.A time has come when any intelligent and patriotic citizen has a right to be alarmed at the state of our political system. As of September 2012, our political system has reached a nadir. Our political leaders from Pandit Nehru to Sonia Gandhi have never been able to put the interest of the nation above that of self, their dynasty or their party. Most political parties, there are about 40 of them, are controlled by dynasties or individuals. The Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Chairman of the Planning Commission are Western educated neo-liberal economists who care more for big business and foreign investors than the ordinary citizen. The level of corruption in the country is simply mind boggling. There is vote bank politics. The Government stands paralyzed by internal contradictions and conflicts of sectarian interests. The law and order is so bad that the ordinary people, particularly women and children, are unsafe. Looting of Government treasuries, misappropriation, favoritism, nepotism, encroachment and destruction of government property continues unabated. There is no accountability. Government servants, even in essential services like transport, airlines and banking go on strike and hold the country to ransom. Agitators block trains, burn government property and police vehicles and beat up police personnel. The Government just refuses to act. It is indeed a sad state to be in the 65th year of independence. Parliament has become a farce.It is not that people do not know what is wrong. Millions of words have been written and said on the media about corruption in high places, about the nexus between politicians and criminals, about dividing the country on caste and religious lines in search of votes that would allow a party to rule the country or a state and enjoy perks of office. Anna Hazare and his India Against Corruption have been agitating against corruption and for political reforms. Baba Ram Dev and his followers have been agitating for bringing back Indian "Black Money" stashed in banks abroad. Can anything be done about it? Can the politicians be expected to forego their personal and party interests and work for the benefit of the country and its people?In this book the President declares emergency, dismisses the government, introduces new laws, holds fresh elections and cleans up the mess. It is a dream. But unless we dream, we will have no goals and no progress.