It is said that “leaders are born, they are not made”. But those destined to become leaders need a nurturing institutional environment. India is fortunate that its Independence era leadership chose for its diverse people the political system of parliamentary democracy. In the last seven decades, it not only functioned successfully but also produced a great lineup of luminary leaders.

India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru was a product of the Independence movement itself, not necessarily the parliamentary route. It is well known that the majority of the provincial Congress committees recommended Sardar Patel for the post. But Nehru evolved as a parliamentarian and mass leader over a decade-and-a-half-long parliamentary career.

Congress set in motion the evil of dynastic politics after Nehru’s demise, which continues to be the bane of the party to this day. There is a stark difference between leaders who are the products of parliamentary democracy and those of dynastic politics. The dynasts can never fully appreciate and demonstrate the leadership values and principles of parliamentary democracy.

One shining star of the Indian parliamentary democracy was Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It has been 99 years since the stalwart politician and former prime minister was born, and five years since he departed. Vajpayee did not inherit politics. He entered it as a young activist, struggled his way through the rough and tumble and evolved through the parliamentary process into a mature statesman.

Vajpayee........

© Indian Express