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Rajiv Gandhi, The Prime Minister continues...
The state funeral of Indira Gandhi was held on 3 November, threedays after her assassination. Although the violence was controlled, Delhiwas still under curfew. It would be difficult for people to participate in large numbers.
Sensing this, the Government relaxed the curfew for a fewhours. Nevertheless, many Delhiites did not want to take any risk andpreferred to sit at home and watch the cremation on television. IndiraGandhi was cremated with full state honours. The picture of Rajiv Gandhilighting the pyre remained etched on the minds of Indians for a long time as the body that was being consigned to the flames was a powerful symbolof a proud India.
The world leaders who came to Delhi to attend the funeral had anopportunity to see the young Prime Minister. They were impressed by the dignity and poise of India’s new leader. All of them went back with a feeling that democratic India had found its leader.
The Prime Minister is perhaps the most prominent face of the Government. In reality, all executive powers are vested in him. The classical definition of the position of a Prime Minister in a Cabinet form of
government is that he is primus inter pares, the first among equals.
However,the reality is that he has no equals. The Prime Minister has the last word on matters of governance. Though constitutionally his Council of Ministers
is collectively responsible to the House of the People, politically he is answerable for the omissions and commissions of his Government.
To be continued....