New Delhi (ABC Live): The Indian democracy is all set to choose government of their choice in early 2014, the 16th times in a row since its independence in 15 August, 1947.At presently, as per constitution of India, elections for democratic governance should be held for 543 Lok Sabha (Lower House) of Parliamentary constituencies, person securing atleast support of 273 Members of Parliament would be the Next Prime Minister of India in 2014.As per the Article 74(1), Constitution of India which says, “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the prime minister at the head to aid and advise the president who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.”Whereas, the President of India is the head of the executive in terms of Article 53 with office of the prime minister as heading the Council of Ministers to assist and advise the president in the discharge of the executive power. To quote, Article 53(1), Constitution of India:“The executive powers of the Union shall be vested in the president and shall be exercised either directly or through subordinate officers, in accordance with the Constitution.”The Prime Minister of India apart from the chief of government, chief advisor to the President of India, head of the Council of Ministers he also the leader of the majority party in parliament. The prime minister leads the executive branch of the Government of India.The prime minister is the senior member of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system.The prime minister selects and can dismiss other members of the cabinet; allocates posts to members within the Government; is the presiding member and chairman of the cabinet and is responsible for bringing proposal of legislation. The resignation or death of the prime minister dissolves the cabinet.Constitutional Requirements to Become Prime Minister of IndiaAccording to Article 84 of the Constitution of India, which lays down the principal qualifications for member of Parliament, and Article 75 of the Constitution of India, which are also the qualifications for the minister in the Union Council of Minister included prime minister, who has been described as 'first among equals'. A prime minister must also have following qualification: 1.He/she should be a citizen of India.2.He/she should be a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. If the person chosen as the prime minister is neither a member of the Lok Sabha nor the Rajya Sabha at the time of selection, he must become a member of either of the houses within six months.3.He/she should be above 25 years of age if he is a member of Lok Sabha or above 30 years of age if he is a member of the Rajya Sabha.4.He/she should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.Potential Persons Who Could Become The Next Prime Minister of India.In present political scenario in India, the ruling Congress Party has unofficially declared its Vice President, and presently Member of Parliament from Amethi Constituency, Mr. Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Minister nominee for general elections 2014, whereas, the main opposition party, the BJP has officially announced Mr. Narendra Modi, present Chief Minister of Gujarat as its prime minister candidate.One side, Congress aspirant for the post of next prime minister of India, Mr. Rahul Gandhi is all set to contest from Amethi Constituency in 2014 general elections and if elected will fulfill the one of the eligibility to be prime minister of India, which requires his some personal attention towards electors of his constituency apart from rest of India, as he would be the main campaigner for Congress Party. On other side, Mr. Narendra Modi may not contest parliamentary election in 2014 to keep himself free for his party by taking the advantage of Constitutional provision, which enables any Indian citizen to become the prime minister of India without becoming the member of either house of Parliament.
Source: The Next Prime Minister of India
Dinesh Singh Rawat says: The Prime Minister of India gets power from Constitution of India rightly quoted in post. The ABC's search for the next prime minister of India's post has only considered two names, Congress's Mr. Rahul Gandhi and BJP's Mr. Narendra Modi for the next prime minister of India in 2014
It means ABC Team believe that in 2014 general elections either Modi Led BJP or Rahul Gandhi led Congress Party would form government in India.
Also, Modi has advantage of non playing captain of BJP team as compare to Rahul Gandhi, who has compulsion to contest from Amethi for sustaining his claim for the post of prime minister in 2014 elections.
Personally, I also see direct fight both for next PM of India, for rest I do agree with ABC Team conclusion.
For first time in Indian Democratic history of 66 years, India is virtually heading for presidential form of elections in 2014, where voters have clear-cut choice for the next prime minister of India between BJP's Mr. Narendra Modi and Congress's Mr. Rahul Gandhi.
If this opportunity in disguise is used by Indian voters nicely then we can expect greater constitutional reforms after 2014 elections irrespective of outcome of elections and Modi or Rahul win.
Great report. Keep it up