Opening the doors to the political realm

Applications have begun pouring in for the , recently launched by the All India Professionals’ Congress. In a country where there is little to no institutional support for newcomers to enter politics, initiatives like this carry considerable promise.

Herjinder spoke to Praveen Chakravarty, chairman of the All India Professionals’ Congress, about the vision behind and the potential it holds for Indian politics in general and for the Congress party, in particular. Excerpts from the conversation:

How did the idea for the Manmohan Singh Fellowship come about?

Dr. Manmohan Singh was my mentor. I worked closely with him for over a decade. In 2018, Rahul Gandhi invited me to join the Congress, despite my lack of political background or lineage. With two decades in the private sector, I never imagined I would hold a significant role in a national political party like the Congress. It made me reflect on how — through merit and expertise.

That led to the idea: why not create a platform in his name, one that allows professionals to enter politics through a lateral route? To begin with, I needed the family’s permission to use Dr. Singh’s name. I reached out to his wife and two daughters. They were very supportive and graciously gave their consent, believing it to be a meaningful and timely initiative.

What is the Dr.Manmohan Singh Fellows program?
Who is it for?
What is the process?
What can one get from the program?
How many will be chosen?
What is the application process?

Answers to all these & more in this video and my interview to @NH_India pic.twitter.com/euaAnUHtnn

— Praveen Chakravarty (@pravchak) April 19, 2025

Was the Congress party already prepared for this initiative, or did you have to convince them?

I took the idea to them and laid out the entire structure and vision of the programme. The Congress is often referred to as an ‘umbrella party’ — a space that welcomes a wide spectrum of people and perspectives. I explained that this fellowship would reflect that spirit, by opening the doors of politics to individuals from diverse walks of life. The party was fully supportive.

Are you looking to attract professionals from specific sectors, or is it open to all?

This isn’t an entry-level programme for fresh graduates. We’re looking for seasoned professionals — whether from the private sector, public service, sports or other fields — who’ve spent 10 to 15 years in their careers and are now making a conscious decision to transition into public life. This isn’t a short-term internship — it’s a long-term commitment to politics and public service.

There are no rigid educational qualifications. What matters is your intent: if you want to serve the country through politics, and you believe in the values of social justice, secularism and inclusive politics, you’re welcome — regardless of your professional background.

Will selection be based purely on merit, or will social diversity also play a role?

When we announced the fellowship, the panel reflected our commitment to diversity — K. Raju, an IAS officer and chairperson of our Dalit wing; Pawan Khera, a professional from the north, while I’m from the south. The list of mentors includes people from varied regions, communities, professions. The Congress party has always stood for inclusivity and this fellowship will uphold that legacy. We’re looking for capable individuals, but we also want to ensure that the diversity of Indian society is genuinely represented.

Most political parties don’t have an institutional set-up for new entrants. Are you aiming to build one?

Yes, that’s precisely the idea. My own experience showed me how difficult it can be to enter politics. Dr Manmohan Singh often told me: people like us, who come from professional backgrounds, face many hurdles because there’s no system in place. I was fortunate. Rahul Gandhi gave me an opportunity. Not everyone has that kind of access. That’s why I felt there must be a formal, institutional structure that doesn’t rely on personal connections or chance, but functions systematically.

Do you have a way to measure the success of the Fellows?

Yes. Their success will be reflected in the success of the party. Their mentors will provide detailed feedback. The senior members they work with will contribute evaluations. The programme aims to establish a new culture within political training — one that emphasises accountability and responsibility. It’s not about being a protégé of a particular leader; it’s about commitment, performance and contribution to public service.

How will the Fellows grow through this programme?

In the first year, they will undergo structured training and be attached to senior leaders to gain hands-on experience. For example, someone working with me will be involved in the activities of the Professionals’ Congress. If attached to K. Raju, they could work on ground-level political engagement in Jharkhand. Someone working with Pawan Khera would understand the party’s communications strategy.

Will they be mentored by senior party leaders?

Absolutely. That’s an essential part of the programme. They will learn directly from experienced leaders by working alongside them on real political challenges.

There are different types of pressure groups and factions in every political party. Will these Fellows eventually become part of one faction or the other?

No. That is exactly why I want us to create a different kind of culture. If we succeed, if we can show that working outside factional lines leads to better outcomes, then hopefully, others in the party will be inspired to follow suit.

Transitioning from a professional or corporate career to a political one can be difficult. What challenges do you face personally?

The biggest challenge is cultural. I was a managing director with major banks for over two decades. The work culture there is very different. In the private sector, people move as a team, aligned towards one goal. That doesn’t always happen in politics. Earlier, I used to think — if I’m doing good work, why are some people still opposing it? I didn’t understand. But now I do. Politics works differently.

Can you give an example of how the culture in politics is different from that in the corporate world?

Sure. Suppose three people are hoping to get a party ticket for a Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha seat. Only one gets it. You’d think the other two would support the chosen candidate for the sake of the party — but often, they end up working to ensure that the candidate loses. In politics, someone can give a big speech, create a buzz and then move on. In corporate life, that doesn’t work. You can’t just make a presentation and leave — you’re expected to deliver results. The entire system is result-oriented. Politics doesn’t always demand that.

Do you believe that future political leaders will emerge through a process similar to the one you’ve just begun?

No, I wouldn’t say they will emerge from the same process. I’m not saying that professionalism is superior — not at all — but I do believe that there’s some merit in this approach. Professionals should have a space in future leadership, and that’s why I see this as a parallel process, not a replacement.

Professionals have entered politics before — Manmohan Singh, for example. Even Rajesh Pilot.

Yes, Manmohan Singh is a very good example — that’s one reason why this fellowship is named after him. But he’s just one prominent case. There are others, but they’re exceptions, not the rule. We’re trying to create a more structured path for professionals who are serious about public life.

There are other fellowships such as the by Inclusive Minds, or Ashoka University’s Young India Fellowship which includes politics and community work. How is yours different from those?

In many of those programmes, young students go through a year of training, receive a stipend and leave with a certificate. That’s good, but ours is not for students looking for exposure. It’s for mature individuals. A serious programme for serious professionals who are genuinely committed to public service.

Those wishing to apply for the fellowship programme may visit the Dr page