The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Alva’s outburst

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Thursday, Nov 13, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Alva’s outburst

It is tragic that Margaret Alva who till recently fiercely defended every action of the Congress in her role as its spokesperson could not see the writing on the wall. Her outburst against the Congress — that party ticket for the coming Assembly elections was being sold — was the result of not any love for principle.

She went public because her son was denied the ticket.

The other spokespersons of the party will continue to defend the highly democratic Congress until their time comes. Not many will shed tears over Ms Alva’s resignation.

C.N.N. Nair,

Mumbai

* * *

Ms Alva would certainly not have complained if her son had got the party ticket. Her open expression of grievance is a symptom of an illness that has afflicted political parties across the spectrum. Instances of the party leadership openly laying down ‘terms,’ including financial, for aspiring candidates are not isolated.

J. Akshay,

Secunderabad

* * *

Politics is perhaps the most lucrative sector now. It also provides a great opportunity for career advancement. Instead of making scandalous allegations against her colleagues in public, Ms Alva should have worked towards striking a compromise. Her claim to family entitlement in the selection of candidates, however, is certainly not acceptable.

K.S. Thampi,

Chennai

* * *

The article “Reject the Margaret Alva proposition” (Nov. 12) is right in saying that the Congress ought to move decisively against the claims of family privileges if it wants to remain relevant to democratic India. But its top leadership itself is not immune to making such claims. ‘Yatha raja tatha praja’ — as is the king, so are the subjects. That Ms Alva is not alone in alleging irregularities in the distribution of party ticket should be a matter of serious concern for the party.

Seshagiri Row Karry,

Hyderabad

* * *

It is unfortunate that a respected, senior leader of the Congress was treated as a frustrated whistleblower and subjected to disciplinary action. No political party in the country with the exception of the CPI(M) practises even a modicum of internal democracy.

It is also a fact that the personal ambitions of party leaders become known only at the time of elections. Ms Alva should not be seen as an exception. It is quite possible that her defiance will set in motion the process of developing internal democracy in all mainstream political parties.

Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.),

Palakkad

* * *

Ms Alva’s outburst comes at a time when the Congress has earned the distinction of having more dynastic leaders than any other party. It has brought into sharp focus the innumerable frailties in the candidate-selection process of political parties, including the Congress. Powerful leaders use their influence to get the party ticket allotted to their sons and daughters, irrespective of their efficacy.

Genuine party workers are prevented from contesting elections. This trend is dangerous and must be desisted.

B. Jayanna Krupakar,

Surathkal

* * *

Unfortunately, the practice of leaders passing on the mantle to the next generation has almost been approved by the Indian electorate. Dynastic rule and similar aberrations become possible in a democracy when the electorate is too lethargic or unconcerned about who emerges the victor.

R. Ramachandra Rao,

Hyderabad

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