At last count, there were about half a dozen good men, some tried, some true, whose names surfaced as serious contenders. As I take my own look at most of these men, I think it would be better to start from the bottom, and whittle away the long shots (the fillers, really) to get to the genuine articles. I pause to state that what follows in no way reflects any personal preference. By now, these gentlemen are more than clear as to my thoughts on them as captains of the ship of state, and of the deplorable legacy accumulated on their watch. I urge that this exercise be seen as an outsider’s dispassionate view of who is in the running, and who is, well, a non-starter.
I think that the man from agriculture will have to stay in the muddy fields. He is likeable on the inside (they all are), but considered too much of an upstart, and not too firm of footing. Worse, any elevation is sure to trigger a reaction from the outside fairly comparable to that experienced by the Chicagoan. In other words, upward mobility could lead to lots of pushing and shoving, and more. He is a work in progress, give or take another fifty years.
Next, there is the Culture Warrior. He suffers from being too bright too early. His candle will fade quickly when lined up near to the other heavy duty headlights. Additionally, he wilts under the telescope of tenure and pedigree. I think he fulfils the dual purposes of decoy and numbers, which are essential ingredients in democratically flavoured undertakings.
Then, some saw promise in the man with a history of affairs (two of them plus a trade-off); but if there ever was promise, just about everybody within knows now that he is a spent force, and his candidacy died when that comrade left. In the current scheme of things – an also ran, a nod to political geriatrics, and an aging Bonnie Prince Charlie stranded without a Queen Mother.
And then there were two. They are a study in contrasts, these two: one is a public man, the other more reserved. What is it that each brings to the table?
Both pass the screen tests of history, longevity, and pedigree. Both are breathing martyrs from the Long March (28 years) in the Wilderness. But from here onward, they depart. The public man is a mover and talker; he is in the public eye and has the party’s ear. He comes across as a charming fellow – handshaking, backslapping, belly-rubbing. He can be clever – sometimes, a little too much – but is guardedly ambitious and a lobbyist. No one is unclear about his sights or his hunger. Observers have given him the inside track, and a near clear field.
But there is one man remaining who stands in the way. In many ways, he is the opposite of his chief rival for the throne. To begin with, he is more of an introverted type. No question, he is more cerebral and deliberate. He has performed creditably in the sometimes boring, sometimes testing role of ringmaster. To some, he comes over as part grandmaster, and part grand recluse. And therein rests the perception of a considerable flaw. It is that he will not descend to the level of the rough and tumble; he insists on keeping elbow length white gloves to receive the offered crown on a platter. From his perspective, it is his due and should not be a matter of discussion and negotiation. Such a posture could end up costing him this much sought after prize, but I believe that he will be the Chosen One from among the Cardinals of the local Kremlin. As to how he handles power afterwards, well, that is another story altogether in a continuing tragedy.
None of this should be construed as a seal for fitness of office. It is merely the tale of the tape of those lining up for ascension to the big time and bright lights.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
