Monarchy of Vishwamitra

Rashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra राष्ट्राध्यक्ष
Coat of arms of the Rashtradhyaksh
Royal standard
Incumbent Dhrubajyoti Roy since 1 August 2020
Style	His Majesty
Type	Absolute elective federal monarch
Status	Elected, de facto in rotation
Residence	Rashtra Niwas, Purvanchal
Appointer	Conference of Rulers
Term length	Five years
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Vishwamitra
Inaugural holder	Tanishkaa Patranabish
Formation	18 June 2020 (2020-06-18)

The monarchy of Vishwamitra (whose monarch is referred to as the Rashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra, or alternatively the Supreme Head of the Nation) refers to the constitutional monarchy and the monarch of the State of Vishwamitra. The Rashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra is the absolute monarch and the head of state of Vishwamitra and the commander-in-chief of the Vishwamitran Armed Forces. Dhrubajyoti Roy, the Rajpramukh of Purvanchal was elected as the second monarch of Vishwamitra on 29 July 2020 following the abdication of Tanishkaa Patranabish and ascended to the throne on 1 August 2020.

Vishwamitra, being a federal elective monarchy, the monarch or Rashtradhyaksh is elected by the Conference of Rulers which comprises the six rulers of the provinces of the nation. The position de facto rotates among the six rulers, thereby making Vishwamitra one of the most unique monarchies and one of the few elective monarchies.

History

The members of the executive council of the Commonwealth of Friends Society met under the chairmanship of Dhrubajyoti Roy on 2 June 2020 where he proposed the idea of transitioning the nation from an unitary presidential republic to a federal elective absolute monarchy. The proposal was soon approved off by the members of the council including President Tanishkaa Patranabish. On 6 June 2020, the chairman of the council proposed for the creation of a position of an absolute monarch who shall be elected by a special body comprising of the rulers of the provinces of the nation and shall also act as a council to guide and advice the federal monarch. Dhrubajyoti Roy suggested that the title of “Yang di-Pertuan Agong” be used for the federal monarch, however, the members of the council refused to use a Malay inspired title and favoured to use “Rashtradhyaksh” in its place. The outgoing executive council decided to appoint serving president Tanishkaa Patranabish as the nation's first monarch and the Rashtradhyaksh on 4 June 2020 and she ascended to the throne on 8 June 2020.

Election

The Rashtradhyaksh is formally elected to a five-year term by and from the six rulers of the states who form the Conference of Rulers. After a ruler has served as the Rashtradhyaksh, he may not stand for immediate re-election until all rulers of the other states have also stood for election. In the event of a vacancy of the office (by death, resignation, or deposition by a majority vote of the rulers), the Conference of Rulers elects a new Rashtradhyaksh as if the previous term had expired. The new Rashtradhyaksh is elected for a three-year term. After his term expires, the Conference holds a new election, in which the incumbent would not be re-elected. The position de facto rotates among the six rulers and a special order of seniority is followed during the elections.

Qualifications

The following qualifications shall be followed for one to be elected as the Rashtradhyaksh:

• Only a ruler may be elected.
• Only the rulers may vote.

The Constitution provides that a Ruler is not eligible for election as Rashtradhyaksh if:

• The ruler has been declared ineligible by the Court of Justice.
• The ruler has notified the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal that he does not wish to be elected.

Election proceedings

The election is carried out virtually via a voice vote. The election does not include a ballot or any other method. A ruler may appoint another ruler as his proxy to vote on his behalf if he is unable to attend the election meeting. During the election, the Chairman of the Election Committee, mostly the Prime Minister, requests the members of the Conference of Rulers to indicate their choice on whether the candidate is suitable or not for their elected as Rashtradhyaksh. The nominee must have obtained four “Yes” votes before the Chairman of the Election Committee offers him the office of the Rashtradhyaksh. If the successful nominee declines the offer or the nominated ruler fails to secure the required majority “yes” votes, the voting process is repeated with the nomination of the second most senior ruler based on the list of seniority of states. Rulers are named and stand for election in turn. The process is completed only after a ruler has accepted the offer of the office of Rashtradhyaksh. The Conference declares the ruler as the Rashtradhyaksh to hold office for a term of three years.

Oath

The Rashtradhyaksh takes the oath of office as follows:

“ I, (name), Rashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra do hereby swear in the name of the Supreme Lord and by virtue of that oath do solemnly and truly declare that I shall justify and faithfully perform my duties in the administration of Vishwamitra in accordance with its laws and Constitution which have been promulgated or which may be promulgated time to time in the future. Further I do solemnly and truly declare that I shall at all time protect the interests of my people and uphold the rulers of law and order in the Nation.”

Order of seniority of states

The order among the eligible state rulers has followed the order established by the cycle, namely:

• Rajpramukh of Purvanchal (current Rashtradhyaksh)
• Rajpramukh of Beltola
• Rajpramukh of Uttaranchal
• Rajpramukh of Madhya Prant
• Rajpramukh of Kamrupa

This cycle had been established based on seniority. However, the current Rulers are named (and stand as a candidate) according to the cycle, irrespective of whether they are currently senior. However, the order is not a precedent and the election of the position of the Rashtradhyaksh is at the pleasure of the Conference of Rulers. As an elective monarchy, there is no line of succession to the throne of Vishwamitra.

Titles and styles

Styles of The Rashtradhyaksh
Reference style	His Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty

The Rashtradhyaksh's full style and title in English is "His Majesty The Rashtradhyaksh".

Powers and functions

• The Rashtradhyaksh shall discharge the functions of the executive head of state, with special discretions upon the state's treasury, internal affairs and defence.
• The Rashtradhyaksh shall be responsible for the appointment of the Prime Minister and other members of the Council of Ministers.
• The Rashtradhyaksh serves as the Supreme Commander of the Vishwamitra Armed Forces and leads the military of the nation with the military rank of “Marshal”.
• The Rashtradhyaksh shall be the sovereign of the Privy Council and shall appoint members on his/her pleasure.
• The Rashtradhyaksh shall be the Sovereign Grand Master of all federal honours and decorations and shall confer those upon individuals on his/her pleasure and the advice of the Rajpramukhs and the Prime Minister.
• The Rashtradhyaksh shall be the chief diplomat of the State.

Sah-Rashtradhyaksh

The position of Sah-Rashtradhyaksh was created on 1 August 2020 to accommodate Tanishkaa Patranabish who had abdicated as the Rashtradhyaksh on 29 July 2020 in favour of Dhrubajyoti Roy. The Sah-Rashtradhyaksh is the co-monarch of the State who serves as the ceremonial head of state, discharging religious and parliamentary functions. The Sah-Rashtradhyaksh shall perform both executive and ceremonial duties during the absence of the Rashtradhyaksh.

The Sah-Rashtradhyaksh is elected by the same process immediately after the Rashtradhyaksh. The office is usually (but not always) held by the ruler next in line after the Rashtradhyaksh.

The office was initially known as Upa-Rashtradhyaksh (meaning Deputy Monarch) but was dissolved on 29 July 2020.

Oath

The Sah-Rashtradhyaksh takes the oath of office as follows:

“ I, (name), being elected to be Sah-Rashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra do hereby swear in the name of the Supreme Lord and by virtue of that oath do solemnly and truly declare that I shall faithfully perform my duties as Sah-Rashtradhyaksh as laid down and as may from time to time be laid down by the laws of the Constitution of Vishwamitra.”

Titles and styles

Styles of The Sah-Rashtradhyaksh
Reference style	Her Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty

The Sah-Rashtradhyaksh's full style and title in English is "Her Majesty The Sah-Rashtradhyaksh".

Lists

Rashtradhyakshs

No	Picture	Name (Born-Died)	State	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Notes
1		Her Majesty Tanishkaa Patranabish (17 April 2004-)	Beltola	8 June 2020	29 July 2020	7001510000000000000♠51 days	Abdicated on 29 July 2020
-		His Royal Highness Dhrubajyoti Roy (11 January 2002-) Acting	Purvanchal	29 July 2020	31 July 2020	7000200000000000000♠2 days	Acting Rashtradhyaksh until his election on 1 August 2020
2		His Majesty Dhrubajyoti Roy (11 January 2002-)	Purvanchal	1 August 2020	Incumbent	2 years, 117 days	Elected on 1 August 2020

Sah-Rashtradhyaksh/Upa Rashtradhyaksh

No	Picture	Name (Born-Died)	State	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Notes
1		His Royal Highness Dhrubajyoti Roy (11 January 2002-)	Purvanchal	8 June 2020	29 July 2020	7001510000000000000♠51 days	Served as Upa Rashtradhyaksh.
-	-	Post vacant	-	29 July 2020	31 July 2020	2 days	-
2		Her Majesty Tanishkaa Patranabish (17 April 2004-)	Beltola	1 August 2020	Incumbent	2 years, 117 days	Serving as Sah-Rashtradhyaksh with the duties of ceremonial head of state.