Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Desperate parties

With both the DMK and the AIADMK holding out freebies, the electoral battle in Tamil Nadu has reached an interesting stage. Voters are aware of the parties' desperation to don the mantle of power. The freebies reflect their hunger for power rather than their eagerness to serve the people. It is hoped the voters of the State prove the calculation of both parties wrong.

M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, T.N.

It is a matter of shame and concern that political parties cheat voters by making impracticable promises such as free power supply to farmers, rice at Rs.2 per kg, 10 kg of rice free, reservation for the minorities, free colour television sets, and so on. The Election Commission should call for an explanation from politicians on how they propose to provide such freebies. If a satisfactory response is not forthcoming, the party concerned should be disqualified from contesting the elections.

K.V.S.S. Rajeswari,
Vijayawada, A.P.

How can so many things be supplied free of cost? Will it not amount to robbing Peter to pay Paul? It is unfortunate that even after 60 years of independence, power mongers resort to fooling the people.

S. Viswanathan,
Chennai

The poll promises on rice imply that in spite of the DMK and the AIADMK ruling the State in turns for almost 40 years, they have not been able to increase the purchasing power of their people even to buy rice. The freebies are a joke.

G. Vedarajan,
Thanjavur, T.N.

With the archrivals leaving no stone unturned, one wonders whether they are fighting a war. Unworkable promises are being made to woo voters. But the people know that it is their money that is being staked by the parties for winning the elections.

R. Sekar,
Nalco Nagar, Orissa

All promises such as free supply of rice, colour television sets, and two acres of land cater to families below the poverty line. While they are welcome, do not the middle and upper classes of the electorate deserve something in return for their votes? Do the parties take them for granted or do they not matter?

S. Janakiraman,
Coimbatore

It is unfortunate to see politicians making freebies their main electoral agenda. They think of financial implications only after being voted to power. There are many villages in the State that lack basic infrastructure. The leaders should divert their energy towards such needs rather than look for short-term gains through populist measures.

K. Ramasubbu,
Madurai

The fact that the freebies competition has exceeded its limits, in the context of nil accountability vis-à-vis election promises, shows the hollowness of our system. The President of India should be made a candidate in all the constituencies, so that people can opt for President's Rule if they think no party will deliver.

N. Gopalan,
Bangalore

The parties have had no second thoughts on promising colour television sets and rice, which imply thousands of crores in subsidy. Why has none of them promised small-scale industries to employ 100 youths in each village to eradicate unemployment? Is it because the parties need jobless youth to campaign for them and want to ensure that the poor remain poor forever?

L. Saravanan,
Chennai

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