:: Letters to Editor

Make room for young leaders

Oct.02 : Sir, It is impossible to understand what L.K. Advani and Sharad Pawar are waiting for. A few days ago, former Goa chief minister Manohar Parikkar had compared Mr Advani to rancid pickle and had said that his political career was more or less over. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also did not favour Mr Advani and it seems his party has written him off. Similarly, the Nationalist Congress Party supremo told a crowd while campaigning that he wanted to retire from politics in favour of today’s youth. This was to save his party from an election debacle and to garner sympathy among its supporters. Actually, both old horses are probably testing the waters and waiting for their parties to beg them not to quit. Political leaders are known to bounce back from crises and this is simply a ploy to remain relevant in politics. But it is time to make room for young people.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee

Faridabad, Haryana

Air India must solve its issues

Sir, The ongoing strike by Air India is illegal. In any democratic setup, no one would oppose a strike but the strike should not jeopardise transportation. In the modern context, dependency has vastly increased and they should not take passengers for a ride. The unrest among Air India employees has caused considerable inconvenience. They must realise the hardship they have caused to passengers and resume work at the earliest. Their demands may be genuine but that does not mean they can act in such a manner. This will indirectly affect the economy of the country. Hence, the concerned authorities must accept the the demands of the employees and resolve the dispute at the earliest.

Inamdar Ramachandra

Via email

Party must give undertaking

Sir, After the Congress laid siege to Vidhana Soudha, comes the threat of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) to hold a rally for good governance on October 2. It is to be remembered that on an earlier occasion when JD-S held a huge rally, the Karnataka high court took exception to the inconvenience caused to the public, and warned the government in strong terms. Therefore, the Bengaluru police commissioner, while permitting the JD-S to stage its rally, should take an undertaking from the party in the form of an affidavit that in case of violation of the contents of the affidavit, disciplinary action can be taken against the rallyists.

B.S.R. Rao

Via email

Jagan’s fate is sealed

Sir, The pressure tactics and unseemly haste shown by Jaganmohan Reddy’s followers may have sealed his fate. Although the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy had obtained the total submission of his party legislators to his dictates, he had never tried to exert pressure on the Congress high command. Unfortunately, his followers have not understood the culture of the Congress Party, where only one family has hereditary rights.

K.R.P. Gupta

Via email

***

Speak less, act more

Sir, Minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor has written on Twitter that now he is ridiculously busy and files are pending. Some people may find fault with such a statement. Why does Mr Tharoor make statements which may cause trouble? I am of the opinion that, like serving Army officers, politicians should also be told not to air their views at the drop of a hat.

Sumit S. Paul

Dr S M Avenue, Kolkata