How to Become a Politician

Are you a person who often gets worried or agitated watching people suffer and wish that you were able to change that? Are you someone who constantly tries to make your community a better place to live in? How nice it would be if you had some power in your hands to do so at a snap of your fingers. No, we are not handing you Thanos’s Infinity gauntlet, but we can help you become a politician through our smart guide. 

Who is a politician?

Politicians are a group of people who join together to support, nurture, develop, provide an emphasis for a community. They are members who take care of the administrative duties in the state/nation. A politician makes sure that his/her community people are happy, secured and live cordially with each other by taking care of their needs. 

Pros and cons of politicians

Commonly recognized by their all white attire and walking amidst a huge crowd, politicians have their own plus and minus. A politician is often criticized for being favorable to government and being deaf to peoples’ plea. However, a politician enjoys many benefits from the government and public such as being a guest at marriages and religious ceremonies. The politicians also have to bear the brunt of other citizens who criticize him if their demands are not met.

How to be a politician from Class 8?

A politician is also a good leader. Hence you should be able to lead everyone to the path of success. You must pay attention to the issues surrounding you. Be it school or home, you must make sure that the needs of the people are met. Try to be popular amongst your friends. This boosts your position as a politician. A politician needs to have more followers, so that he gains more momentum in politics.

Things to do to be a politician from Class 8

• Understand your surroundings.
• Try to figure out issues your peers are facing and work to sort them out.
• Solve the demands of needy people.
• Write memos to the government or a civil servant regarding the crisis in your area.
• Make friendship with senior politicians and attend their meetings.
• Be aware of the politics involved in your area.
• Know your opponent party and its members.
• Learn more about culture, language, origin and people of the city or state 

How to be a politician from Class 12?

• Have more interest in studying history and political science.
• Create a social media platform and put up posts regarding politics to show that you are an aspiring politician.
• Always be in the eyes of the local leaders, because they are the first ones to notice you.
• Take part in debates and oratorical competitions to improve your oral skills.
• Make sure that you are in friendly terms with the area counsellors and wardmen.
• Regularly bring up topics of debate among your friends to know their awareness in politics.
• Have a memento of your favorite role model politician as your lucky charm

How to survive in politics?

Political background

Having a political background will make things easier for you when you stand in for elections. If your family members are politicians, then you will be learning the nuances of politics from a young age. The people who know your family will guide you on your path of becoming a politician. Since you already come from a family of politicians, you will be aware of the crisis faced by the state/nation and even handling the opponent leader will be easy for you.

No background

In the case of no political background, you may need to cross quite a few hurdles to become a politician. It will take time for people to recognize your work as a politician. Although many will try to help you, they may utilize your work and leave you. However, you can become a politician  even without a background if you are wealthy. Money speaks a lot in the political world and anyone with money can become a politician. Spending lavishly on social meetings for this will bring you to the notice of many and very soon you will be recognized as a young politician.

When can one participate in elections?

According to the Indian Constitution, a candidate needs to be at least 25 years to contest in elections. 

Apart from that, one can be a leader at their school/college and here is how:

• Start Local

Team up with the local political party in your area and volunteer in their political activities. This will help them know your desire to be a politician. You can also contest in local elections for the role of Community Head, Municipal Head or even as Student President

• Become a party spokesman

Now that you are recognized by the partymen, develop your oratorical skills and speak at meetings supporting your leader and party. The more followers you gain through your speech will make your position strong in the political world.  Focus on youth as they are the ones who can make or break a politician. Be friendly with media and make sure that you are the face of your party

•    Being resistant to warnings

As your demand as an aspiring politician develops, many will be worried of you and you may face many consequences. Be resistant to warnings as receiving them is a part of your job. Be aware of your opponent’s movements as it will be a stepping stone for your growth. 

What to study for a politician?

Most politicians in the country have come into the field through their family background or with money. Only a few politicians are graduates. However, to be an educated politician, you may need to do the following:

Areas of expertise

Keep your focus on subjects such as economics, business, law, political science, history and international relations. 

Examinations

You must pass civil service examinations like IAS, IPS, IRS and IFS to be an educated politician. 

Other career options

Apart from a politician includes civil servant, army personnel and chartered accountant

The following is the categorization of national and state leaders who have been aspiring politicians.

President

This post can be held by a citizen of India who is above the age of 35 and they must be a member of the Parliament. He is indirectly elected by the Parliament and the legislative assembly of the Indian states. The President is the head of the nation but does not rule the nation. 

Some of the duties are:

1) Financial

The money bill can be passed in the Parliament only with the permission of the President. The President has the right to pass a bill as law with his signature. However, when a  bill is held for a long time, the bill is taken as law even without the president’s sign. The President will prepare the Union Budget for the Parliament. The President can take monetary help from the Contingency Fund during an unforeseen circumstance. Apart from all these, the President has to constitute a Finance Commission every 5 years to check the distribution of taxes in State/nation.

2) Executive

Although the president holds a high position, many of the presidential duties are fulfilled by the Prime Minister. The President has to accept the requests of the Prime Minister as far as it is within the Constitution. The President should not withhold a request made by the Prime Minister for too long. However, a Prime Minister can occasionally oppose the decisions taken by the President.

3) Judiciary

The President appoints the Chief Justice of India and on his request, he adds the other judges. The judges can leave the Parliament only when the members of both the Houses pass resolutions with a 2/3rd majority. Also, the nation’s chief legal advisor, Attorney General of India is appointed by the President and holds office till the President completes his term. The Attorney General is allowed to attend parliamentary meetings on behalf of the President.

4)Military

The President is the commander of chief for armed forces. He can declare war or peace with any country in the world with the advice of the Council of Ministers. All treaties and contracts are done in the presence of the President.

5) Pardon

A criminal can be granted pardon by the President if he commits an offence against Union Law and against Military Court. A convict can also escape the death sentence and be granted life term sentence inside prison.

6)Emergency

This is one of the most important duties of a President. The President has to declare an emergency of nation, state and even finance. 

1.  National emergency

This is declared on some part of the nation or even the whole country during war or rebellion. The emergency is declared based on a written request by the Council of Ministers. National emergency is imposed for six months after receiving approval of 2/3rd members within a month. During this period, the Fundamental rights of a citizen are suspended except for the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.

      2. State emergency

This emergency is declared when the President is not satisfied with the duties of a governor of a state or working against the Union government. The State emergency is declared within two months of approval from the Parliament and is imposed for six months to a maximum of three years. During this period, the control of the state moves to the President and the governor administers the state under the name of the President. Sometimes, the imposition extends if the Election Commission is not able to hold an election in the state.

       3. Financial emergency

The President declares financial emergency when the financial stability of a part of the nation or the entire country is threatened. This kind of emergency is declared by a majority of votes. The financial emergency is present until it is revoked by the President. During this period, the salaries of government officials, including judges of Supreme Court and High Court is reduced. Money bills of State legislatures have to be approved by the President who guides them on using resources thoughtfully.

Prime Minister

This post can be held by a citizen of India who is above the age of 25 if he is a Lok Sabha member and 30 in the case of Rajya Sabha member. If the Prime Minister is not a member of either of the Houses, he/she must become a member within six months.

The functions of a Prime Minister include:

• Being an advisor to the president.
• Head of the Union Council of Ministers.
• Appoint or remove members in the Cabinet.
• Assign positions for the members in the government.
• Schedules and attends sessions of the Parliament.

Selecting names for top official jobs such as 

i)Chief Election Commissioner of India and other election commissioners

ii)Comptroller and Auditor General of India

iii)Chairperson and members for Union Public Service Commission

iv)Chief Information Commissioner of India and other Information Commissioners

v)Select members for the chairperson and members of Finance Commission

vi)Attorney General of India and Solicitor General of India

Some of the posts that the Prime Minister holds:

• Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
• Cabinet Secretariat
• Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
• Cabinet Committee on Security
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
• NITI Aayog
• Department of Space
• Department of Atomic energy
• Nuclear Command Authority

During the stint as Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), the Prime Minister appoints secretaries, additional secretaries and joint secretaries for the government. Apart from that, the Prime Minister is vested with the power to appoint Chiefs of the Armed forces, including Indian Police Force. As head of the Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the Prime Minister has full access to the administrative department.

Deputy Prime Minister

Although the Indian Constitution does not have a special place for it, a senior minister is elevated to the position of a Deputy Prime Minister. Most of the time, the State’s Home Minister or Finance Minister is likely to be a Deputy Prime Minister.

Council of Ministers

This is a group of ministers, appointed by the Prime Minister for the political ministry. The strength of the cabinet ministers must be not more than 15% of the Lok Sabha. Both the Cabinet and Council report their duties to the Prime Minister, however each has their own duties to take care of.

Difference between Council and Cabinet

1)The Council consists of The Cabinet, Minister of State, Deputy Minister and Parliamentary Secretaries while the Cabinet is a small group of senior members who hold important portfolios.

2)While the Prime Minister occasionally consults the Council, he never misses to take the advice of Cabinet members, who are his most trusted colleagues.

3)While meetings with the Council are held, more importance is given to the meeting of the Cabinet as this? helps the ministers to shape up the country’s growth.

4)Though the Council advises the President, the Cabinet gives their suggestions to the President through the Prime Minister which is often taken into action.

State politicians

Chief Minister

This person looks into the affairs related to the State. A chief Minister candidate should be a citizen of India, should be above 25 years and must be a member of the State Legislature. If not, they must attain a signature from the governor if he/she succeeds the election. The tenure of a Chief Minister is for five years and there is no limit to the number of terms being held.  A chief minister is elected by the MLAs of a ruling party and is appointed to the post by the governor. On the chief minister’s request, the governor appoints other ministers to take care of the various departments in the state such as Agriculture, Fisheries, Electricity, Water resources, Education, Health, Civic affairs, Highways department, Transport, Industry among many. 

When a Chief Minister resigns which generally occurs during elections, the outgoing Chief Minister will be called a caretaker chief minister till the governor either chooses a new successor or dissolves the assembly. During the period of caretaker chief minister, the person can enjoy all benefits like a chief minister except he/she cannot take part in policy decisions or cabinet changes.

Deputy Chief Minister

This post is taken in the absence of a chief minister and is taken up to pacify factions within the party. The deputy chief minister holds cabinet meetings and leads the Assembly majority. 

MLA/MP

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) is a person who represents the voters of a district to the State government. A MLA serves for five years and is appointed to the level of Minister by the Prime Minister. If you are contesting for a MLA seat, you should be a citizen of India and be above 25 years of age. Make sure that your name is present in the electoral roll in your district. Criminal offence candidates will not be taken for the post. A Member of Parliament (MP) is a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. They work for the parliamentary constituency which they represent.

MLAs are elected by the voters during state level elections. MPs of the Lok Sabha are elected during Lok Sabha elections. MPs of the Rajya Sabha are indirectly chosen by the MLAs.

Ward/Municipal councilor

This person is a member of the local government council and represents the district or ward where she was elected. Their duty is to place the demands of the people in their ward before the entire council and the decisions will be implemented by the administrative department.

Their functions include:

1)Decision making

Councillors must ensure that transparent accountability of the work takes place.

2)Developing and reviewing policy

A councillor should develop and improve the policy of a council by scrutinizing the work of the counsel. Also, the councillor plays an important role in area forums and committees.

3) Scrutiny

Since a councillor is a locally elected representative, care must be taken to handle public services and all deliveries must be made promptly.

4)Representation

Since councillors are the face of the people, visibility of ideas is necessary. Councillors must ensure that the views of the local community are highlighted. Council policy and views of local community must also be addressed

5)Leadership

A councillor must be a good leader who acts in the best interests of the ward and council area. Emphasis must be placed in supporting the community, resolving conflicts, balancing demand for resources and influencing partner organisations to work together

6)Political role

Many Councillors take the decision to stand in elections with the help of a political party or sometimes as an individual candidate. In that case,  the duties of a councillor increases wherein he must give updates to the political party, engage with local party organization and work within a national framework of rules for your political party.

Impeachment

This process is the removal of a public official by a legislative body who questions the credibility of the official. If they are not satisfied with their report, the official is removed through impeachment. In the case of a President, there are chances of them being impeached even before their term ends. The Parliament initiates the process by levelling charges against the President in a notice which should be signed by minimum 1/4th of the House. The notice is sent to the President and after 14 days, the matter is taken up for consideration. During this period, the President could defend oneself through counsel. If one of the Houses of the Parliament initiates the process, the notice is sent to the other House and if both the Houses approve the impeachment, the President should vacate his office.

In the case of the Prime Minister, his office ends if the members in his party do not have any confidence in him. A Prime Minister can serve the President for a long time but he must also have supporters in the Lok Sabha too. If a majority of members do not have confidence in him, he is removed through a vote of no confidence. However, a Prime Minister can remove oneself from the post by resigning.

Conclusion

In short, a political aspirant should be interested in party politics apart from being courageous, determined and resilient. The people must treat you as a leader.