Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Karnataka politics

The Bharatiya Janata Party has lost its credibility by once again joining hands with the Janata Dal (Secular) — which, it alleged only three weeks ago, had betrayed its trust by refusing to hand over power after 20 months of being at the helm. Governor Rameshwar Thakur should invite the alliance to form a government to uphold constitutional norms, as pointed out in the editorial “Constitutionalism and morality” (Oct. 31). The people of Karnataka can at least be spared a huge waste of taxpayers’ money.

J. Churchill,

Thiruvarur

There is no doubt that under the given circumstances, it will only be constitutionally proper for the Governor to invite B.S. Yeddyurappa to form a BJP-led government and ask him to prove his majority on the floor of the House at the earliest.

K V. Rajasekhar,

Neyveli

Despite the ‘tamasha’ enacted by the JD (S) — refusing to honour its agreement and doing a volte face within three weeks — the Governor should recommend the lifting of President’s Rule and allow the BJP-JD(S) combine to form the next government. It is too tempting to delay the installation of a popular government or recommend the dissolution of the State Assembly. But we need statesmanship from the UPA leadership, which should rise above narrow political considerations.

D.B.N. Murthy,

Bangalore

As rightly observed in the editorial, constitutional propriety demands that a BJP-JD(S) government led by Mr. Yeddyurappa be sworn in by Governor Thakur. When elections come, the people will and should teach the politicians a lesson. One feels there is an urgent need for right-thinking, qualified, honest people to enter politics. People are fast losing faith in politicians because the government is of the politicians, by the politicians and for the politicians.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman,

Ambur

Even if the Governor invites the BJP-JD(S) combine to form a government, what is the guarantee that the JD(S) will continue to extend support to the government till the end of its term? Instead of pushing the State into another turmoil, it is better for all parties to seek a fresh mandate and leave the issue of cleansing the political system to the wisdom of the electorate.

B. Harish,

Mangalore

The political parties of Karnataka have hijacked the mandate and trust of the electorate. The leaders have treated the government like a five-year fixed deposit in joint names. All they want the Governor to do is to change the name of the first joint holder under their direction. And they seem to be immensely irked at the delay. It is indeed sad that parties today know little else beyond the arithmetic of numbers. Fresh elections will hold out clear lessons not only for the State but the entire nation.

R. Narayanan,

Ghaziabad

The editorial deserves praise for its even-handed approach. But one needs to keep in mind the acrimony of the divorce between the BJP and the JD (S) and the BJP’s woeful track record during its brief stay in the coalition government.

The alarming incidents of violence against Christians in the last 20 months and the sangh parivar’s role in the Mangalore riots and the Bababudangiri/ Datta Peeta issue are serious causes for concern. The BJP’s stonewalling of the questions and issues raised in the wake of the Tehelka revelations raises justifiable doubts in the minds of the Muslim and Christian minorities about their safety and human rights under any dispensation which includes the BJP. The Governor also has the constitutional duty to see that their interests are not compromised.

Cynthia Stephen,

Bangalore

Before the three major political parties of the State start the process of horse-trading, it would be better for the Governor to recommend the dissolution of the Assembly. Though another election before it is due will cast a heavy burden on the exchequer, it is inevitable.

Even if a new political equation is worked out now, it will, in all probability, crumble before the government completes its term. One hopes the Karnataka electorate will avoid giving a fractured mandate in the next elections.

K.R. Srinivasan,

Hyderabad

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