The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : A master stroke

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Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

A master stroke

The Left parties' decision to suspend participation in coordination committee meetings with the UPA is a master stroke. The Government's contention that the disinvestment in BHEL is in line with the NCMP is nothing but its unilateral interpretation in favour of privatisation. The haste with which the Government is moving in the direction of opening up crucial sectors, including the financial sector, to greater foreign investment needs to be halted. It will be better for the UPA if it does not display arrogance of power, which the NDA did, and bite the dust.

P. Venkatesh,
Salem, T.N.

The Left parties' move is the result of the Congress' lack of commitment to the NCMP. The two sides should re-examine their relationship. Nothing will be achieved by a grudging participation and half-hearted involvement.

A.J. Rangarajan,
Chennai

An impartial observer finds it difficult to understand the Left's attitude. Any disinvestment below 51 per cent of the share capital is not a violation of the NCMP. Raising capital through disinvestment is the cheapest way of mobilising resources.

K. Anandan Nair,
Kozhikode, Kerala

The Left is justified in its decision. The Government's decision to go ahead with the disinvestment in BHEL and the fuel price hike, discarding the alternatives suggested by the Left parties, was uncalled for. A 61-member Left representation in Parliament is a clear indication of the growing resentment against liberalisation. This bestows greater responsibility on the Left parties and hence their decisions are crucial.

Arun G. Kurup,
Kochi, Kerala

The UPA Government's decision to disinvest in BHEL was a clear departure from the NCMP. Looks like the Congress is not serious about the avowed resolve to prevent the BJP's comeback.

V.P. Prasanna Kumar,
Kollam, Kerala

The Left is going a bit too far in bargaining for its interests with the UPA. The Government should ignore its opposition and go ahead with its economic policies. Playing into the hands of the Left on economic matters among other things would be like taking the country 30 years back.

Barun Kumar Mahapatro,
Berhampur, Orissa

The development reminds me of the story of the rat and the frog, which tied their legs together in a moment of infatuation. Right or wrong, the Left parties are the only lot committed to their ideology. Similarly economist Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and some of his Cabinet colleagues are committed to certain policies, which they believe will take the country to prosperity. We should thank the BJP. But for the fear of its coming to power, the UPA would have collapsed earlier.

Uma Krishnan,
Orlando, Florida

The economy of both West Bengal and Kerala has stagnated. The communist leaders there promise people a utopia at the cost of permanent economic stagnation. Communism in the Indian context has come to mean inefficiency and tall talk. Now the Left parties are blackmailing the UPA with threats of withdrawing support if sensible economic reforms are implemented.

T. Santhanam,
Chennai

The Left protest against fuel price hike does not make sense. We are highly dependent on other countries and import a major share of our energy needs. Prices are manoeuvred by oil-producing nations. In a developing country like India, it is not advisable to dedicate millions of dollars in subsidy. We have to share the burden.

Shail S. Vora,
Gandhinagar, Gujarat

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