The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Dynastic rule

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Friday, Jan 04, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Dynastic rule

This refers to the editorial “Political dynasts and martyrdom” (Jan. 1). Dynasty has yet again raised its ugly head in political succession, this time in Pakistan. Democracy seems too conservative to shift its allegiance from a leader of standing to another. The followers too are shocked to lose their slain leader and rush to choose his or her relatives as a measure of gratitude and, worse, to gain political mileage from people’s sympathy.

There are instances of the derring-do where the successor, mostly inept to fit into the leader’s shoe, rushes to adorn the vacant throne, sidelining the inherent threat of hasty succession. Time alone will show what is in store once the mood of bereavement passes. One hopes the greenhorn teenager, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, on whom the mantle donned by his mother and grandfather was cast, will maintain the PPP’s ideology.

Radhanath Behera,

Koraput

* * *

The editorial is a forceful piece, well written. Some readers have compared dynastic politics in the subcontinent — in the context of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s appointment as PPP chairperson — to politics in the United States. George W. Bush did not win the presidency because of his father, Bush Sr. Nor will Hillary Clinton become President (if she does) because she is the wife of a former President. Every candidate has to compete through several caucuses within the party and then with the other party to win.

Jay Ravi,

Toronto

* * *

It is difficult to agree with readers who have justified dynastic succession in politics (Jan. 3). True, Nehru was a leader of the masses but that does not give Rahul Gandhi the right to lead the country. Nehru did not encourage dynastic politics, evident from the fact that Indira Gandhi did not become Prime Minister after his death. Families of many leaders have made supreme sacrifices. But do they enjoy the same privilege?

Politicians have greater responsibility than actors and doctors. The decisions they take affect the whole nation. Children of politicians can afford to make mistakes and survive in the field. Children of doctors who wish to become doctors have to slog it out.

S. Sudhir Kumar,

Hyderabad

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