Foreign Born as Prime Minister

This news item in The Hindu lists the views aired by important leaders in the recent past about the Foreign Origin issue of Sonia Gandhi.

Each of these leaders (who are all in the Congress alliance) have said something to the effect that the issue is ridiculous and unimportant.

The more important question, however, is "What eligibility criteria does Sonia Gandhi satisfy other than the fact that she is from a particular family to be considered for Prime Minister ship?". In other words, is making her the Prime Minister a smart idea?

I think this is the question all of the leaders that are going to be in power need to consider. Thinking that her prime ministership is something that was forced by the people on them through the mandate is not going to help answer the above question.

But looking at the ranks of leaders that are assembled in that side of the house, it is clear that no one will do something like that. Even knowing that none of the political leaders will think along these lines, it is important to remember that this is the primary question that anyone supporting her candidature needs to answer.

And this question is independent of what the people-mandate is.