Don146;t obstruct

The strike at the airports has been called off but the question remains: What does the Left want to achieve by t...

The strike at the airports has been called off but the question remains: What does the Left want to achieve by threatening the UPA government on each and every issue? It did the same when the NDA was in power but at that time it didn8217;t hurt because it was not part of the ruling coalition. But now it affects government functioning. Left parties must understand that the people have given them a mandate to behave in a responsible manner. They must also realise that their chances of coming to power at the Centre would increase only if they behave in a positive manner.

8212; Guru Bangalore

Middle disorder

8226; India8217;s middle order batting is full of worn-out horses. Ganguly, Sachin and Laxman are all past their prime. In their own interest they must hang up their shoes. Sachin will be doing great disservice to his test average if he continues to fail and ends his career on a disappointing note. He might again succeed against England at home but playing a useless innings will do no good to him. Ganguly8217;s career is over. Laxman might yet earn himself a reprieve. He is third in line of the three old horses.

8212; Gautam Princeton

Saffron game

8226; Pamela Philipose8217;s 8216;Saffron spread8217; IE, February 3 was comprehensive. It put Karnataka politics in perspective 8212; especially for people who don8217;t reside in that state.

8212; Rabbi Jayakar Montreal

8226; I do not agree with Pamela Philipose that saffron politics was used to the hilt by the BJP in Karnataka IE, February 3. For the last five years or so the party has been rising steadily in the state due to people8217;s admiration for stalwarts like Vajpayee and Advani. In the last assembly elections various factors carried the party to the top of the seat tally. The foremost was the 8216;Bangarappa factor8217;. The former CM was instrumental in the party winning a large chunk of seats in the coastal belt of Mangalore and Karwar. In fact, communal consideration has never been a criterion with the voters of Karnataka while pitchforking the BJP to a position of strength.

8212; Ganapathi Bhat Akola

Let party pay

8226; Kudos to Maharashtra8217;s chief electoral Officer U.P.S. Madan for his bold proposal to the Centre that political parties should bear the expenses of bypolls instead of the government. Mostly, bypolls are not necessitated due to natural causes death, disablement etc. but wantonly thrust upon the hapless electorate by political parties. The expenses must be borne by them.

8212; K.R.P. Gupta Mumbai

On Hamas

8226; The way the victory of Hamas is being perceived by the West and Israel is truly baffling. The consensus is on isolating the new regime. Hamas8217;s democratic mandate has only made it stronger. Abdication of violent means by the militant group must form a core issue in the negotiations but a diplomatic relationship must be kept intact. Secondly, throughout the world, states plead with unrelenting militant groups to choose ballot over bullet. Any talk of isolating Hamas, a potential convert, without giving democracy time to soften it, will simply bury the new possibilities taking shape for many cases around the world.

8212; Gaurav Dua Delhi