Coalitions, stupid!

The Karnataka drama highlights the need to understand how coalitions function 8216;With an enemy like this14...

The Karnataka drama highlights the need to understand how coalitions function 8216;With an enemy like this8217;, IE, January 21. In that regard, I would like to draw attention to a recent lecture delivered in Delhi by Giuliano Amato, a former prime minister of Italy, on 8216;Coalition Politics and Democracy8217;. It was based on his own experiences. He saw coalition governments as governments of necessity. He also touched upon the special qualities of leadership needed to lead a coalition government. He recommended that those PMs/CMs who head coalitions should meet heads of the partnering parties frequently and fine tune the relationship. According to him, he should go about cutting knots and not throats! He highlighted that the coalition culture entails a trade off between the 8220;process of consultation8221; and 8220;delivery8221;. The partners in a coalition tend to raise several issues and keep temperatures high. In due course, they are bound to give a slip to issues not found politically rewarding. Our politicians should master the art of coalition management.

8212; O. Chopra New Delhi

Quota of folly

8226; This refers to the AICC8217;s decision on the reservation policy at its Hyderabad meeting and also the Kerala CM8217;s announcement about the institution of a committee on reservation. These decisions brings out the same old truth that not a single political party has the willingness to see people as a whole, but only as sections based purely on religious/caste grounds. Instead of devising ways to bring those who are under the poverty line necessities like free and quality education, free infrastructure for cultivation and so on, they just harp on secularism, indulging in anti-constitutional activities and encouraging an entitlement economy.

8212; S.K. Iyer New Delhi

Yes, but8230;

8226; Soli Sorabji is right in asserting that the minority judgment in Bihar dissolution case would have conferred presidential powers on the governor IE, January 29. However he loses sight of the fact that the governor enjoys such powers till such time as a speaker is appointed and a government formed. Even the president has insisted in the past upon reasonable assurances of stability from proposed coalitions at the Centre. The demerits of Buta Singh8217;s actions should not blind us to the reality that unprincipled defections to cobble a majority are as undesirable as hasty dissolutions.

8212; J.M. Manchanda New Delhi

Silence the gun

8226; As sensible analysts in this world of asymmetric threats we must accept that the terrorists and fundamentalists, when provided the opportunity of the ballot, may be able to come to power the democratic way 8216;Gunning for change8217;, IE, January 28. Organisations such as the Hamas have seized upon the idea of reaching the masses who vote. It has a very effective record of social programmes and is known to be incorruptible. The need therefore may be to find ways for such organisations to give up their path of violence, rather than first waiting for them to leave the gun, especially so when there is no alternative, especially in places like Nepal.

8212; B.R.K. Rao New Delhi

Sourav8217;s place

8226; The way Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Irfan Pathan batted at Faislabad was enough to strike the final nail on Sourav Ganguly8217;s coffin 8212; but only if Yuvraj Singh does not revert back to his infamous inconsistency.

8212; A. Chaudhuri Kolkata