The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Opposition boycott

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 28, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Opposition boycott

The decision of the National Democratic Alliance to boycott Parliament especially at a time when the Lok Sabha is scheduled to begin discussions on the Finance Bill is unfortunate. There can be demands and counter-demands on various political issues but these should not be allowed to stand in the way of deliberations in Parliament.

Ambli Nalini Mani,
Pondicherry

* * *

Indian democracy is perhaps witnessing its worst phase since independence. The manner in which Parliament is being held hostage by the Opposition is highly disturbing. All the MPs seem to have become swayamsevaks (self-serving) rather than jansevaks (servants of the people).

Ritesh Kumar Mallik,
Patna

* * *

There is no credibility in the NDA's demand that Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad resign because there were charge-sheeted Ministers in its Cabinet too. Things have reached a stage where Ministers need resign only when non-bailable arrest warrants are issued against them.

Priya M. Meenakshi,
Chennai

* * *

This Lok Sabha may get the distinction of having been stalled the most number of times. While the ruling UPA is sidelining the Opposition and not allowing discussion on even serious issues such as charge-sheeted Ministers, the Opposition is scuttling debates on matters of national importance. Is there no way we can make the parliamentarians do what they are supposed to — represent the people?

S.R. Muralidharan,
Kolkata

* * *

I have nothing to say except echoing Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's words: yeh kya ho rahaa hai (what is happening)? There was a time when some of us used to wonder why leaders of regional parties could not emulate our parliamentarians who, despite their ideological differences, maintain the decorum of the House. We have now changed our mind, thanks to the NDA's behaviour. This kind of bullying should be dealt with severely.

G.E.B. Siluvaimani,
Chennai

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