•The Congress party should take courage in its both hands and refuse to submit to the Left and other alliance partners’ blackmail and go ahead and sign the Indo-US nuclear deal. Most experts, including the former president, A.P.J. Kalam, and the former national security advisor, Brajesh Mishra, have endorsed it. The BJP is being cussed in refusing to endorse the deal. If the government falls as a consequence, so be it. In the case of fresh elections the people will realise who the spoilsports were and punish them. Fortune favours the brave. — R.J. Khurana BhopalAnd the people?•Your editorial, ‘Words, ultimatums’ , deserves a lot of appreciation for critical analysis of various aspects, especially stressing political courage on matters of conviction. I strongly feel that amidst all the chaos political parties have created over the nuclear deal by debates, opposition and optimism, somehow the common man’s opinion has been neglected. As people’s representatives, MPs should not be beholden to political party lines alone.— Vitull K. GuptaBhatindaPokharan III?•It is apparent that the Congress’s allies do not want to lose even a few days in office (‘Spooked by polls, allies to Sonia: don’t kill deal, just delay Vienna’). And now the BJP is talking of a strategic partnership with the US, with the Pokharan III option open. This will be food for thought for the PM. When nothing else works, why not call for a special session of the Parliament? The deal can be decided there. That could be the nation’s referendum and a saving grace for the PM. — Kedarnath R. Aiyar MumbaiConcern three•Your Sunday columnists are confusing our poor prime minister by their expert advice. Tavleen Singh says: “The nuclear deal gives the prime minister a chance to redeem some of his lost reputation. So, go on, prime minister, push it through even if your Government falls.” Sudheendra Kulkarni says: “Only a person. who does not enjoy majority support in Parliament on the nuclear deal can be so reckless about risking his government’s survival and his party’s future prospects.” Which way will he look? But there is something more too. Kulkarni is worried how the PM’s party will fare while the other columnist thinks there is so much at stake with Manmohan Singh’s reputation. That’s the big deal.— N. Kunju DelhiDire squad•The rhetoric by Bal Thackeray of creating Hindu suicide squads is truly obnoxious and cheap and aimed at garnering votes in the upcoming elections. Had similar statements been voiced by politicians or leaders belonging to other communities, the administration would have instantly clamped down upon them. But Bal Thackeray seems to be above the law and the Constitution of India. What other genuine reason does the government have for not bringing him to justice? — Sandeep Ghiya Mumbai
