The Hindu : Election time

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Election time

Sir, — This refers to Ram Jethmalani's letter to the President requesting him not to go by the recommendation of the NDA Government to dissolve the Lok Sabha (Feb. 3). Mr. Jethmalani's contention that the proposed dissolution is unconstitutional is valid. The dissolution is an exercise aimed at consolidating the BJP's position and is in no way in the interest of the public. Mr. Jethmalani's opinion deserves consideration.

V.S. Jayaraman,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — With the Lok Sabha election fast approaching, the two main national parties should pause and reflect. Can they let the regional parties dictate the formation of a government at the Centre? These players have their vested interests to serve. The BJP and the Congress should devise a way of minimising these parties' influence — they owe it to the common man to bring about a paradigm shift in the way politics is conducted.

R. Ramachandran,
Hounslow, U.K.

* * *

Sir, — When an electoral alliance consists of too many constituents, the possibility of its falling apart once the elections are over and Ministry formation begins is high. Also the alliances are limited to the States and will not hold good at the Centre. In the interest of the country, the number of parties in an alliance should be restricted to those that have had consistent policies. Just to defeat the existing government, all and sundry should not form part of alliances.

T.V. Kalyanam,
Coimbatore, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The manner in which the Congress has `accommodated' the DMK shows how desperate it is. Its winnable seats have been taken away while the DMK has retained those it won in the last elections, and avoided constituencies the BJP is likely to contest.

Karthyck A.R.,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — It is heartening to know that the Prime Minister will contest again from Lucknow. But he will do greater service if he contests from a rural, backward constituency. L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, who contest from Ahmedabad and Allahabad, should also contest from backward constituencies so that some development work can take place.

Sanjiv Kushwaha,

Lucknow

* * *

Sir, — That the catchphrase, `feel good' originated from a garment company, as disclosed by L.K. Advani, is interesting. `Feel good' is actually applicable to all the politicians in the country; they are the happiest people. They get whatever they want at a concession or free of cost; no one questions them if they fail to vacate government accommodation. As for the voters, they can feel good that they can, like a garment, change their leaders.

R. Janakiraman,
Cheyyar, T.N.

Chennai

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