• The unbecoming and embarrassing conduct of Bihar Governor Buta Singh in writing a letter to Laloo Prasad Yadav has occasioned various comments (‘Buta Laloo Singh’, IE, August 20). But, in my opinion, it raises a more fundamental question. It is now accepted that when a person agreed to become a governor, he has to shed his normal political activities. The governor is the State. He cannot indulge in political acrobatics or activities as may be normally done by politicians, whether rightly or wrongly. If absolute propriety and standards are to be maintained, Buta Singh should be asked to resign from governorship. But the least the UPA government must do is that even if both the government and Buta Singh are not embarrassed at his still continuing as a governor, they should transfer him to some other state. An action at the level of the Centre along these lines is necessary if we have to restore the dignity, impartiality and propriety to the governor’s office. — Rajindar Sachar New Delhi New records • This refers to the story, ‘President’s Rule, Bihar style: Buta seeks Laloo favour’ (IE, August 19). Buta Singh says: “I am in public life. People put pressure to get their work done.” Then he also says: “Someone may have got the letter (to Laloo Prasad Yadav) written on the official letterhead.” The letter bears Buta Singh’s signature. Are his signatures forged? And then the vital question is: what is the authenticity of his report on which the Union Cabinet got Bihar Assembly dissolved? The Congressmen appointed as governors are setting new records of immorality. — M.C. Joshi Lucknow YSR’s turnaround • With a one-point programme of capturing power in Andhra Pradesh, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy blamed the intransigence of former chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu, in refusing to talk to Naxalites. Now that the stark reality is staring him in the face, Reddy blames the Naxalites and imposes a ban on them. Credence must now be accorded to his another famous election eve promise of bringing ‘Indira Rajya’ since he has fired first salvo against journalists by threatening to book them if they meet wanted persons. — K.R.P. Gupta On e-mail BJP: troubled • It is very true that BJP’s inner turmoil seems to have drained the party of energy and relevance (‘A BJP-sized hole’, IE, August 22). How can it perform the role of a strong opposition party while its leaders are fighting among themselves for power and prestige? They do not listen to anybody’s advice. Supporters of the party are now totally disappointed with the party leaders. What can be expected of these leaders when they are fighting for their own self-interest? Do they think they can achieve power at the cost of the party? They are so oblivious of the naked fact that they and their party will be thrown in the dustbin of political history once the Congress is in complete control of the Centre. — Bharat Singh Delhi • While Manmohan Singh, the Congress Prime Minister, has expressed his regret over the 1984 Sikh riots, L.K. Advani — the BJP party president and leader of the Opposition — is backing Narendra Modi, despite calls by prominent BJP members asking for his removal. Backing Modi amounts to supporting the carnage that the state saw in 2002. — Arvind Amin On e-mail
