The Presidential drama continues. We refer not to the post itself, which we respect deeply, but the brouhaha surrounding the candidates that has been playing itself out in the press for a couple of months now. From potential players and behind-the-scenes negotiations to the taking of sides and assassinations of character — all of this and more has gone toward creating what can only be described as a media spectacle.

What makes this almost amusing is how the actual post of President has been made out to be larger than it actually is. As head of state of the Republic of India, the President is elected by members of the two houses of Parliament, as well as the state legislatures. He or she rules for five years and can exercise powers directly. The fine print, however, states that authorities vested in the President are, in practice, exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.