Science fiction: Programmer uses interviews to build an AI avatar of world leader candidates

[Bill]

I would have read this in the 80s or early 90s. The idea was that we could use computer modeling to build a “real” profile of leaders that would speak the true beliefs of people if you interviewed them enough. The main plot was an upcoming election for world leader (I think) and this programmer engaging in a cat and mouse type series of interviews. I believe the candidate was from India, perhaps with the name of Gupta or Singh. Much of the subplot involved environmental decline and Malthusian type problems

Hope that’s enough and thanks for any help!