The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Against democracy

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Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Against democracy

Sir, — The Opposition's decision not to let Speakers of NDA-ruled States attend the Speakers' Conference on March 20 is not in the interest of democracy. At a time when the powers and functions of the executive, the judiciary and the legislature need a review, the conference is extremely relevant. Now that the Jharkhand issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the NDA, it would do well to reconsider its decision.

S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — Speakers, once elected, do not belong to any party. The proposed conference is extremely relevant in today's context. If the NDA is fighting shy of the legislature versus judiciary debate, it only shows its lack of political acumen and intellectual calibre to address important issues that should cut across party and ideological boundaries.

T.A. Achuth Kumar,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Besides discussing the limits to judicial powers vis-à-vis the legislature, the conference should also address issues such as the role of Speaker, powers of the pro tem Speaker, nomination of members to the Assembly, disqualification, anti-defection law, etc. The possibility of preventing independents from voting during a no-confidence motion should be explored.

The President should convene a similar conference of Governors and redefine words such as "discretion" and "conscience."

P.J.S. Rajan,
New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — However zealously Mr. Chatterjee explains his position, he may not be able to convince the people of the nation — the turn of events in Jharkhand was such. His priority should be dealing with corruption and criminalisation of politics, nomination of persons defeated in the elections as Cabinet Ministers, inclusion of charge sheeted Ministers in the Cabinet, and murder of democracy by partisan Governors.

P.R.V. Raja,
Pandalam, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — While the NDA is opposing the Speaker on the issue, the Congress has slowly distanced itself. It is not in the interest of the harmonious relationship between the judiciary and the legislature to further aggravate the issue.

K. Murlidar,
Chennai

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