The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Politics and morality

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Saturday, Apr 30, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Politics and morality

The editorial "Political morality, law and precedents" (April 29) is biased. It has taken a shot at the previous NDA Government rather than objectively questioning the UPA Government's actions. If at all a comparison is to be made, why not with the earlier regimes of the Congress? If Narendra Modi is guilty even before courts have pronounced him thus, why invoke the foundation of the criminal justice system in the case of Lalu Prasad?

S. Thyagarajan,
Chennai

* * *

While Mr. Prasad's refusal to step down despite the charge sheet filed against him is shameful, the reluctance of the UPA Government to drop him is unfortunate. The Union Law Minister has gone as far as to say that unless the charges are proved, Mr. Prasad need not quit. It would be better for the Prime Minister, who has an impeccable record, to step down rather than head such a Government.

K. Raman,
Chennai

* * *

Mr. Prasad should have resigned by now without being asked to do so. But then in these days of permissive political life, expecting scruples from politicians is like asking for the moon.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao,
Nidadavolu, A.P.

* * *

In these days of fractured verdicts, ruling outfits have been left with no choice but to remain silent spectators in such situations. The UPA is no exception. Given the arithmetic at the Centre, it cannot even think of listening to the voice of morality, as demanded by the NDA.

Ushadevi & S.B. Rao,
Ruwi, Muscat

* * *

Instead of unreserved castigation of the UPA Government for the wholly unjust and unfair continuation of Mr. Prasad as Railway Minister, the editorial seems to be sympathetic to its political compulsions.

Avuthu Srihari,
Secunderabad

* * *

Any effort to differentiate between offences as "more heinous" and less heinous is unconvincing. A precedent does not justify a wrong.

Surampudi Ramakrishna,
Kakinada, A.P.

* * *

True, the NDA's aggression over the Lalu issue exposes its double standards. But the Congress is also clearly practising double standards. It stalled Parliament and even boycotted George Fernandes in both the Houses, inventing a novel way of humiliating a Cabinet Minister. The same parties are now maintaining that a charge sheeted person need not resign until he is convicted. At least the UPA can use the opportunity to practise what it preached not very long ago.

R. Sarangapani,
Chennai

* * *

"Never has a Prime Minister been so blatantly partisan, never has a Prime Minister condoned corruption so brazenly as he has done these past few weeks," thundered Sonia Gandhi in Parliament. The reference was to Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Fernandes issue. Well, how does the UPA chairperson propose to describe Manmohan Singh's action of "condoning corruption so brazenly" in Mr. Prasad's case?

Brig. (retd.) V.R.P. Sarathy,
Chennai

* * *

The UPA Government justifies Mr. Prasad's continuation on the ground that there were three charge sheeted Ministers — L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti — in the NDA Government. This is only a ruse; the fact is the UPA is hopelessly dependent on the support of the RJD for survival.

K. Venkata Rao,
Secunderabad

* * *

The deterioration of morality in politics started in the 1970s. It has touched a new low in the last few years.

S. Srimoolanathan,
Chennai

* * *

The NDA's call for Mr. Prasad's resignation is justified. But the UPA Government's stability will be in peril if he is forcibly dropped. Let the NDA leaders prove their commitment to democracy by giving the assurance that they will not destabilise the UPA Government once Mr. Prasad is dropped.

Dhirendra Sharma,
Dehra Dun

* * *

I have a suggestion. Mr. Prasad can hand over the Railway portfolio to Rabri Devi. She has proved as Chief Minister of Bihar that she can manage his affairs and is not particularly averse to back seat driving. She is also jobless at the moment. The move will satisfy the Opposition, make way for the functioning of Parliament and, most important, save democracy that our leaders so zealously seek to uphold.

Joseph Mathew,
Puttur, Karnataka

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