Not that controversial and celebrated British author Jeffrey Archer is gunning for the power seat in Delhi, but on the day the UPA alliance swept to power, he said it's an exciting time to be in India and he wouldn't mind putting his political experience to test here. But on second thoughts, he admitted that he 'pitied the poor man' who actually gets the job. In an off-track interview to Jayita Bandyopadhyay, the almost-mayor of London indulged in a few minutes of Indian politics in between promoting his new book, Paths of Glory

You have been talking a lot about how you are the ideal candidate to be the Indian Transport Minister to better our traffic sense. Why not try your hand at being the Indian Prime Minister?
(Laughs and then says aloud) 'She wants me to be the Indian Prime Minister. Should I be?' (The motley group laughs).

Actually, I have many factors in my favour. My books are published in six Indian languages, so I am half-Indian. And I am not too old as well for the chair! Also as someone pointed out to me, you do not mind people of foreign nationality rising to power in politics here!

On second thoughts, it wouldn't be a bad proposition at all. India is developing exceptionally fast and it could be exciting to lead it. I wanted to be the Prime Minister of England but failed. Now may be I should try my luck hereu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u00a6. (A loud guffaw follows).

On a serious note, India is performing very well. While in England, the financial system, the banks, are collapsing, here, your Prime Minister, who is an economist by training, has done a good job of keeping the money churning. Your banks are working fine. That's an achievement.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Do you know the Congress-led UPA alliance has made a clean sweep? And it is going to form the next government?
So is Manmohan Singh going to your next Prime Minister? He should be. He is a good Prime Minister. Not only because he has done a good job in the last five years, India needs stable governance. Mr Singh has started on a good note and if he stays in power for another 10 years, he will take the country to new heights.
I recall Margaret Thatcher saying after she had won with a huge majority, 'Let's get on with it now.' That's what Mr Singh should say now.

He is a mature man and now is his real opportunity to take the country forward. In the next five years, his epitaph is going to be written!