Regional centre

This refers to Shekhar Gupta’s column ‘And then there were nine’. It is true that regionalism in politics has become significant since...

•This refers to Shekhar Gupta’s column ‘And then there were nine’. It is true that regionalism in politics has become significant since the dawn of the coalition era. This may be attributed to the failure of national parties to deliver. The Congress has a deepening regional leadership crisis while it precariously holds on to power at the Centre. In fact, “Dilli” would be a distant dream for the Congress without the support of regional parties. But the NDA is in no better a situation than the UPA. The NDA must come out of its shell, shed its indecisiveness and reach out to the masses. It doesn’t have a lot of time on its side. As for the UPA, it must prioritise its agenda over power and perform. Or else, it should perish in the next elections.

— S.K. Gupta

Delhi

Friends in need

•The report ‘Day after dinner thaw, Amar Singh gets what he asked for: Z Security’ indicated the disgusting state of Indian governance where norms are bent at leaders’ whims, all to serve their selfish personal and political ends. Amar Singh was a pariah to the Congress till the other day, a smart dealer, a man for all seasons. Suddenly, the equations have changed — in the name of fighting a common enemy. In disarray in UP, the Congress must lean on the SP’s crutches. Conferring Z security status on a politician hardly on terrorists’ radar, is thus a small price to pay. But what does it say of the man of integrity who was Amar Singh’s host at the dinner?

— M. Ratan

New Delhi

Open city

•In ‘City of strangers’, Amulya Gopalakrishnan has highlighted an acute emotional congestion that is compromising vibrancy in urban life. A colonial model for constructing cities has deprived residents of the give and take of urban life. More open spaces would make our cities better places to live and socialise in. It would also help mitigate the “haves and have-nots” divide.Nonetheless, informal and cheerful spaces must be kept safe. Delhi is at present cheerful for neither residents nor visitors.

— Satish Lothe

Nashik

Conscience voting

•The results of the recently concluded panchayat elections in West Bengal and assembly elections in Karnataka show that the conscience of the electorate is very much alive. Despite the odds, voters have punished parties that abused their office when in power. It is particularly heartening to see the predicament of the JD(S). The Left Front still holds the reins in Bengal, but Nandigram has dealt it a severe blow. This wisdom of the electorate is the real strength of our democracy.

— H.S. Gur

Hisar

A court in Antwerp passed the order initiating the formal process of bringing Choksi back to India. But, he still has options to challenge the order passed by the lower court.

Belgian court clears fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi’s extradition to India

India4 hr ago

Mehul Choksi, a fugitive diamantaire wanted in India for a Rs 13,000 crore loan fraud case, has been cleared for extradition by a court in Antwerp, Belgium. The Indian government has assured that Choksi will be held in a specific jail complex and provided with basic amenities if extradited. Choksi's extradition proceedings have advanced in Belgium and he has the option to challenge the order.

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