That exactly the sort of person you need as Prime Minister

A wise old saying I made up says, "One who seeks power is, for that very reason, unfit for it."

Gandhi Says She 'Must Humbly Decline' to Be India's Premier
By AMY WALDMAN

NEW DELHI, May 18 '97 Sonia Gandhi, who led the Indian National Congress to unexpected triumph in India's elections, told her party's legislators tonight that she would "humbly decline" the post of prime minister.

In the six years since she had reluctantly entered politics, she told party members gathered in the central hall of Parliament, "one thing has always been clear to me and that is \'97 as I have often stated \'97 that the post of prime minister has not been my aim."

She had always vowed, she said, that were this situation ever before her, "I would follow my inner voice."

Mrs. Gandhi, the Italian-born widow of a former prime minister, added: "Today that voice tells me I must humbly decline this post."

She had been under "tremendous pressure" to reconsider, she said, "but I must follow my voice." She was not, she said, tempted by power.

Posted by Prometheus 6 on May 18, 2004 - 12:46pm
 
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I would say that being head honcho of a political party participating in the elections is pretty much "seeking power". If you don't want the job of prime minister, don't become leader of a political party.

I also want to point out that we can avoid the fit/unfit to wield power discussion by limiting the power of the state. Having good leaders is OK, but having good systems that can't easily be abused is a whole lot better.

Posted by  dog of flanders (not verified) on May 19, 2004 - 6:13am.

Having little or no government just to avoid corruption or abuse of power is likely to be throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Posted by  Al-Muhajabah (not verified) on May 20, 2004 - 7:32am.