Faces of a leader

The licence to oppose is not one to cause chaos.

8226; Mihir Sharma8217;s 8216;Mamata Cholbe Na8217; has rightly described the obstructionism of Indian political parties whenever they sit in the opposition. For a democracy to function, the opposition needs to be responsible and constructive. The licence to oppose is not one to cause chaos. The opposition cannot claim to be the sole representative of the people. For the benefit of the nation, politicians like Mamata Banerjee need to change their methods of protest.

8212; Satish Dayal

New Delhi

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8226; Mihir Sharma is right in saying that Mamata Banerjee8217;s politics of 8220;negationism8221; might negate her chances of ever becoming CM. Mamata8217;s politics are unsuitable for electoral victory. However, one cannot say that her variety of politics is not desirable at all in today8217;s Bengal. Had there been no Mamata, the CPM would have got away with Nandigram and much else. In fact, Mamata8217;s 8220;Cholbe Na8221; politics has given a voice to the oppressed, at the cost of her becoming CM. This is a laudable sacrifice.

8212; Debashis Pathak

Kolkata

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Justice delayed

8226; This refers to 8216;Cruel to be kind8217;. Milind Murugkar has rightly analysed the typical instrument used by the government to safeguard the interests of urban consumers at the cost of those of farmers. Even today, there isn8217;t any organised and effective agriculturists8217; union to fight for farmers8217; rights.nbsp;No political party seems interested in exploiting this opportunity either.

8212; Shishir Sindekar

Nasik

Bad precedent

8226; The three service chiefs have delayed the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission8217;s recommendations cleared by the cabinet. To use parity with the civil services as an excuse to challenge the government8217;s decision, however unjust it may look to the defence personnel, is not in the right spirit. Disobedience of any sort is a serious offence in the defence forces. Therefore, the three chiefs have left a lot to be desired.

Such acts would set a dangerous precedent in the defence forces.

8212; V.P. Damodar

Pune

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Delhi8217;s piles

8226; Among Delhi8217;s many problems, garbage disposal gets very little attention. A strange anomaly considering no citizen surely likes being close to badly disposed garbage. This is a city-wide problem 8212; I have personal experience in the Uttam Nagar locality 8212; and it is both an eyesore and a health-hazard. There are court directions on this, but no authority seems bothered. Unauthorised garbage pick-ups are the root cause. But someone will have to apply the law.

8212; Mahesh Jaiswal

New Delhi

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