There are many names doing the rounds for India’s top ceremonial job after the end of the presidential term of Dr Pranab Mukherjee in July 2017. Sushma Swaraj, L K Advani, Mohan Bhagwat, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Venkaiah Naidu and Murli Manohar Joshi are some names that have been doing the rounds as possible candidates. These are some possibilities reportedly being mulled over by the ruling BJP; while some want Rajinikanth as the next president.
There are two other names that warrant a second look: Draupadi Murmu (also a possible candidate from the ruling dispensation) and Gopalkrishna Gandhi, a name that the opposition may likely put forward.
She is the incumbent Governor of Jharkhand (since May 2015). She is from Uparbeda village of the Kusumi block and belongs to the Mayurbhanj district or Odisha. She is the first woman governor of the state and the first tribal leader from Odisha to be a governor of any Indian state.
Draupadi Murmu started out as a teacher. She has been a social worker and politician for nearly two decades. She started out as a councilor, in 2000 she held a minister of state position in the Odisha government.
Once the mother of two sons and a daughter, she has suffered unimaginable personal tragedy; having lost two sons and her husband Shyam Charan Murmu.
Her humble originals and her tribal roots are important. Not only does her background prove that she has risen to where she is today by dint of her own personal merit, there is also hope that her elevation will give voice to and champion the rights of the country’s marginalized and weaker tribal communities.
His is an impeccable lineage – he is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi on his father's side and Bharat Ratna C Rajagopalachari (whom Bapu referred to as the “keeper of my conscience”) on his mother’s side.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi served in the Indian Administrative Services and as a diplomat. He has been secretary to the President of India previously and was also the High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka in the past.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi was the Governor of West Bengal. In 2006 he also took on additional duties as Governor of Bihar. It is likely that his name will be suggested by the Left Parties and by the combined Opposition parties if there is no consensus in the matter of the Presidential candidate.
Apart from his experience with statesmanship and diplomacy, Gandhi is a scholar of great erudition and distinction. He is a Professor of History and Politics at the Ashoka University, the chairman of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study and chairman of Kalakshetra Foundation. He also authored and co-authored several books.
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