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Date: Sat, 4 Jul 1998 12:18:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: Manjunath Somayaji <somayaji@rocketmail.com>

PS: You may have already read this but I thought it
was 
worth bringing it to your notice in case you haven't 
seen it. It's from the Times of India, July 4th, 1998.

http://www.timesofindia.com/today/05home4.htm

Constitutional reforms favoured, but without
disturbing 
basic structure

K Balakrishnan and G V L Narasimha Rao

NEW DELHI: The continuing political instability at the 
Centre, and the recurrence of tension between Central 
and state governments, have led many to consider 
seriously the need for constitutional changes. The 
national agenda for governance of the BJP-led 
government has proposed the appointment of a
commission 
``to review the Constitution of India in light of the
experience of the past 50 years and to make suitable
recommendations''. And home minister L K Advani has 
come out in favour of a US-type Presidential system
(in 
which the heads of government at Central and state 
levels are directly elected for fixed terms) as being 
most suited to India's needs. A Times Opinion Poll 
conducted in eight metropolitan cities on June 27 and 
28 finds that a large majority of respondents (68 per
cent) feel that there is a need to introduce 
constitutional changes to ensure that we can have 
stable and efficient governments.

However, it is also the dominant view that the 
Constitution is by and large all right, and the 
problems encountered have been mainly because we have 
not followed its spirit. As such, the majority opinion 
is that changes should come by way of amendments to
the 
existing Constitution, without altering its basic
structure. Wholesale or fundamental changes, 
particularly a changeover to the Presidential form,
are 
not favoured. There is great ambivalence towards the
option of a US-type Presidential system. While most of 
its key attributes (fixed terms, direct and popular 
election of the head of government, induction of non- 
partisan professionals in cabinet) are found to be
attractive, there is apprehension regarding the
dangers 
of making big changes and entering uncharted waters, 
including the possibility of the President turning
into 
a dictator. Thus, a majority of the respondents (51
per 
cent) feel a US-type Presidential system will not be 
suitable for India.

Are the constitutional reforms proposed by the BJP-led
government a part of its ``hidden agenda'' as alleged 
by opponents? Forty per cent of the respondents agree 
that it may be so, while others disagree or are not 
sure.

The poll was conducted for The Times of India by 
Development & Research Services (DRS) among 2,010 
adults in eight metropolitan cities - Delhi, Mumbai, 
Calcutta, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and 
Patna.

* For more details, see Special Report on page --- 




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