Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Fourth innings

This refers to the editorial "Difficulties of a fourth innings" (May 16). The electoral victory of BSP leader Mayawati was unexpected, perhaps even by her. This has given her the over-confidence to usher in sweeping changes, which clearly smack of vendetta. If she intends to consolidate her vote bank and do something for the State, her only priority should be all-round development, not transfer and suspension of bureaucrats on whimsical grounds.

M.K. Bajaj,
Chandigarh

If Ms. Mayawati's day one performance as Chief Minister is the hallmark of her style of functioning, it will be difficult for her to have a smooth term in office. Acts of vendetta do not befit a mature administrator. They will diminish her electoral feat.

V.P. Ramesan,
Tripunithura

Two hundred transfers in two days are nothing but acts of vendetta by Ms. Mayawati. It is problems such as poor law and order and economic development that ought to rightfully engage her attention now.

P.K.S. Iyer,
New Delhi

Chief Minister Mayawati undoubtedly has strong compulsions. She has to keep her electoral promises. More importantly, she has to maintain the caste equilibrium in all matters. To begin with, she must bury the past and work on a neutral plank. Large-scale transfers of government officials will send the signal that she is more interested in vendetta than in development. The country expects good governance from her.

C.P. Velayudhan Nair,
Kochi

Ms. Mayawati has emerged as a tall leader, caring for all sections of society including the so-called forward castes, for whom she had little sympathy earlier. Her statement that she favours reservation for the economically weak among all sections is extremely significant. One hopes champions of social justice in States such as Tamil Nadu will emulate her instead of continuing to exclude the forward castes from development. There are poor among them too who need the state's help to progress.

K.R. Mahalingam,
Chennai

The BSP's victory is historic because it was the result of Ms. Mayawati's new social principle. Most important, it was achieved without any help from the media, corporate sector, and political alliances. It is the first time in recent times that the results of a State election have generated such euphoria. By evolving a new scheme of things that includes Brahmins, Muslims, OBCs, and Dalits, the BSP has taken away the Muslim vote from the SP, the forward caste votes from the BJP, and the Thakur votes from Ajit Singh. By deciding not to participate in the municipal polls, Ms. Mayawati ensured that her partymen concentrated on the crucial Assembly elections. One hopes she will develop a second-rung leadership in the BSP before turning her attention to Delhi.

A. Bheema Rao,
Hyderabad

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

Stories in this Section

Musharraf's crisis of legitimacy
A successful drive
123 as countdown to CTBT by the backdoor
Under-investment in health costs lives
Ahmadinejad seeks to win more friends
Bush hits new low
Understanding political violence
"Anti-terror strategy needs overhaul"
Fourth innings
Attack on artist

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu