Letter of the Week

The results of the assembly elections intrigued political analysts. While experts and party leaders debate it would make sense to pay heed to the opinion of the “politically naïve” common voter.

It’s not that terrorism matters less as a political issue. What the electorate disliked perhaps was the politicisation of terror. In a letter earlier this week, (‘Strong signals’), Anil P. Bagarka from Mumbai said that it’s time to pay heed to the “naïve” voter.

* The results of the assembly elections intrigued political analysts. While experts and party leaders debate it would make sense to pay heed to the opinion of the “politically naïve” common voter. Terrorism is on everyone’s mind and Indians are firm that it should be acted upon. What the voter disliked perhaps was the manner in which certain parties politicised terror. People also want to see visible developmental and civic work. Strong state leaders with positive programmes are more likely to deliver and the Delhi and Madhya Pradesh results certainly prove that. Henceforth, parties should build assembly campaigns solely on local issues and national ones on national concerns.

Terror infrastructure

* The solidarity shown by political parties in the parliamentary debate was reassuring (‘The House unites…’, IE, December 12). Manmohan Singh’s comment regarding the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan and the need to dismantle it permanently must serve as a warning to Pakistan as well as a wake-up call for the world community should Pakistan fail to respond. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee did well by talking tough and tearing apart the Pakistani leadership’s excuse of “non-state actors”. It is clear that the government has now realised the gravity of the situation and decided to act tough. One hopes the opposition will lend necessary support to the government and tone down its own rhetoric.

—M.C. Joshi, Lucknow

Vigil foremost

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* This refers to ‘Very parliamentary’ (IE, December 12). In a rare display of unanimity in Parliament, all parties have pledged support to the government’s firm resolve to take necessary steps and send unmistakable signals to Pakistan. Since international opinion sympathises with India, it is unlikely that Pakistan, as a state, poses any real threat to India. But India cannot afford to relax its vigil since the terrorists in Pakistan don’t need the Pakistani state to harm India.

—H.R.B. Satyanarayana, Anand

Face of politics

* Were the proceedings in Parliament on Thursday the result of post-Mumbai sombreness? Of the unfortunate loss of innocent lives? Of the rejection of the politics of terror by a discerning electorate? Or was it the true face of our political leadership, that can do better than it usually does if only it tried to rise above partisan politics? This session was a gratifying one and we hope it defines future debates.

—R. Narayanan, Ghaziabad

Though the EC’s media invitation did not specify the subject, officials said the briefing would pertain to the SIR schedule. (File)

EC to announce dates for nationwide Special Intensive Revision tomorrow

India50 min ago

The EC will announce the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in multiple states, including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, on Monday. The exercise, which hasn't been conducted in two decades, aims to update the rolls and eliminate duplicate entries and foreign nationals.

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