The intimate enemy

• Something curious is happening to Indian politics. The role of the Opposit...

• Something curious is happening to Indian politics. The role of the Opposition is being played by those who are positioned within. For instance, in the UPA, though the Leftists are allies of the Congress, they are playing the role of the Opposition by raising their voice against any issue that they believe goes against the CMP. The fact that the real Opposition, the BJP-led NDA, has abdicated its role, facilitates Left posturing. In the same manner, the RSS is playing the role of an Opposition to the BJP, as it pressures the party for the resignation of its chief who is seen to have strayed from the parivar’s path.

— S. Kamat On e-mail

Twilight politics

• It is painful to see the plight of a man of L.K. Advani’s stature. But he doesn’t have anyone to blame for this but himself. Knowing full well the organisation he belongs to, he still went ahead and said what he did. It seems Sudheendra Kulkarni fully persuaded Advani to ignore the radical Hindutvavadis and Advani has paid the price. It is said that elders tend to get dependent on their near and dear ones in their twilight years.

— Shrinivas Deo Nasik

Diversify now

• Apropos of your editorial ‘Slipping on oil’ (IE, July 18), the government should really look for diversification of the upstream oil companies into the exploitation of the non-conventional energy sources and likewise, put the downstream oil companies into the marketing of such energy. India, as it is, is not rich in fossil fuels. So, it is high time India cashed in on the non-conventional, non-pollutant energy resources with sustained seriousness. This will benefit both the economy and the environment.

— Arjun Chaudhuri Kolkata

Bring on Dravid

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• This refers to ‘If Captain Dravid delivers, Ganguly innings may be over’ (IE, July 19). Rahul Dravid should be the captain till he has a place in the Indian team. Saurav Ganguly lost his form long ago. He may never be able to recover it.

— Govardhan Bangalore

World in a bind

• Kuldip Nayar’s concerns are valid (‘Democracy talk’, IE, July 19). As he mentions, it is no secret that the Taliban is America’s creation. The same applies to Iraq. As Nayar rightly points out, why is the world not asking the pertinent question of cause rather than effect? If the diagnosis is not right, there can be no cure for the patient. The world is being led into a blind ally from where there is no point of return. Someone needs to point the way to a different route. This can be done by the UN. But as of now, it is a puppet in the hands of others.

— Feroze Khan Chennai

Horror in Bihar

• Apropos of your series ‘Bihar’s bloodless murder’ and the report ‘Voice of Bihar’s unpaid govt workers fades away’ (IE, July 15), I am deeply shocked to see that the judiciary is not taking stringent action against those responsible for the plight of the family members of unpaid PSU employees. The Centre must intervene. Thanks to the Express for bringing the workers’ plight to public notice.

— Baban Prakash Nagpur

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Trade talks ‘positive’, govt says will intensify efforts to close US deal early

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India and the US have resumed trade negotiations after the US imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. The sixth round of talks will focus on recognising India's red lines and possibly increasing energy purchases from the US. Other topics include easing patent rules, data flows, and giving US firms procurement access.

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