'I wouldn't mind being the Indian Prime Minister'

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!

Do you feel he has an easy job on his hands now?
No. It's not easy to be the Prime Minister. There are many challenges and I pity the poor man! I prefer being a best-selling author.

My book Kane and Abel may go into its 100th reprint and four generations of readers swear by it. But will you recall your prime minister's name 50 years from now? That's the cruel twist of politics. I am happy that I failed in it!

Since you like Manmohan Singh's way of governance, you must be aware that it is often accused that he is a de facto prime minister. The actual power lies with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Yes, I have read that. But I wouldn't want to comment.

Do you feel this is a spectacular win for the Indian democratic process?
It is a win for the very strong Indian middle-class which I feel, has chosen development and stability.
Though I don't quite support the multi-party system of Indian democracy.

In England, we don't have parties screaming 'I will build a hospital in your state, come to me with your MPs.' We don't number-crunch after the elections. Once a party has been voted to power, it governs the country. In India, after the elections, the numerous political parties bicker among themselves to decide who will govern. That's cheating the electorate. That is not the way to run a country.

Since you have been following the Indian elections, have you noticed the young politicians who have emerged?
Yes I have and it is very exciting to see them take such a keen interest in politics. Even I had started my political career in my twenties. At 29 I was elected a Member of Parliament. I wanted to change the way things were, I still do. All youngsters want change and that's very good for the future of a country. India, as I was reading somewhere, has the largest group of young population between the age of 19 and 30 years. That's not the case in England, where the largest group is between the age of 50 and 80 years. So, it's very important for young Indians to vote and have a say in the governance of the country.

Any young leader you like?
I have been hearing a lot about Rahul Gandhi.
But you must also remember that a young leader may not always be successful. To be successful, you need a combination of both a wise head with the positive energy of a youngster.

Have you heard of Mayawati, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister?
Yes I have. I have. And I know how she has risen to power from the lowest rung. It is very encouraging.