The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Sonia's rise

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 01, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Sonia's rise

This refers to the editorial "The political development of Sonia" (May 30). There can be little dispute that the sterling qualities attributed to Sonia Gandhi are appropriate.

But what is more important is the note of caution that giving undisputed and unlimited power to any leader is anathema to inner-party democracy.

V.K. Sathyavan Nair,
Kottayam, Kerala

* * *

Sycophancy or not, there is no option for Congressmen other than having Ms. Gandhi as their leader. Our country too needs a leader like Ms. Gandhi, who has a mass following.

P.P. Mohanan,
Kochi, Kerala

* * *

Ms. Gandhi has overcome many odds such as the foreign origin issue, criticism both from her own party and adversaries that she was a powermonger and ineffective leader, and inability to communicate. She has come a long way and evolved as a leader who has earned the respect of all Congressmen.

D. Anand Babu,
Tirupati, A.P.

* * *

Despite many setbacks, Ms. Gandhi was allowed to remain at the helm and she utilised the time and opportunity to make a mark on the political scenario. Any other leader in her place during those testing times would have been shown the door. Ms. Gandhi has certainly capitalised on the advantage she derives by being a member of the Gandhi-Nehru family, without whose name the Congress cannot survive.

S. Sudhir Kumar,
Athens, Ohio

* * *

In the post-independence period, barring rare instances (such as when Nehru insisted on making Kamaraj AICC president and stepped down), in all the national and regional parties leaders who have commanded influence and authority have never stepped down from posts such as president or general secretary. How can we expect Ms. Gandhi to act differently, particularly when she is poised for a long innings in her party?

R. Thirunarayanan,
Chidambaram, T.N.

* * *

That a hundred nominations were filed in favour of Ms. Gandhi is not necessarily an indication of her popularity or unquestionable leadership. The Congress has always been a party of sycophants who ingratiate themselves with the reigning deity.

Why was not a single nomination filed against her? For, one making bold to contest against her is putting one's head on the chopping block.

M.V. Ravindran,
Ahmedabad

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

Raising spirits and sharpening the focus

This time it could be for real

Effecting a change in post-Soviet republics

An ambience for a dialogue

Use of force and the responsibility to protect

Rich keep the poor just where they want them