Politics of ideology,perception and principle have faded (Rolling stones,IE,February 4). Politicians enter into one political alliance at breakfast; switch to another at lunch and cosy up to a third over dinner. Given that the Congress is distancing itself from the SP,Mulayam Singh is in bit of a fix. The relationship with Kalyan Singh is not yielding the desired benefits and thus he is looking to the CPM. The fact remains that,in the current political climate,ideology only provokes a yawn or two.
S.K. Shah
New Delhi
Political interference
The ongoing controversy,about the CECs recommendation to the president about the removal of EC Navin Chawla has undermined the prestige and independence associated with the office of the Election Commission (On whose word?,IE,February 4). The Constitution mandates that the commission be insulted from political pressure; whether the CEC is right or wrong,the commission has now been subjected to political meddling. Besides,the law ministry has chosen to go to the extent of announcing Navin Chawla as the CEC-in-Waiting. One wonders whether this announcement could not have waited till a more opportune moment.
S.K. Gupta
Due processes
N. Gopalaswamis suggestion that Navin Chawla be removed has stirred a hornets nest. The issue is lost in no mans land: the situation is such that the subjective value judgment collides with more than one interpretation of the constitutional provision (On whose word?,IE,February 4). Constitutional provisions and judgments of the Supreme Court may shed some light. Should the CEC be backed by solid evidence,the possibility of the dismissal of a fellow colleague can be raised.
John Alexander
Nagpur
Tougher laws
In all likelihood social issues will pose a greater challenge to India in the near future than economic or political woes (When we are anxious,IE,February 3). Laws,norms and ethics are to be adhered to,but currently we are choosing to opt for the opposite. It is time we stood for our individual liberty and expressed our views on what social issues are significant to us. Laws need to be tougher in order to stop unruly hooligans from attacking our life and liberties.
Julita Ekka Ghaziabad
Two to tango
The LTTE appear to be out of luck and out of power. They never demonstrated the political will to come to the negotiation table in order to work out a genuine political response and socio-political future for Sri Lankan Tamils. Their track record distinctly points to the fact that they solely believe in the power of the gun. Sri Lankan leaders on the other hand failed to diffuse the situation by their refusal to budge on issues that mattered to the Tamil minority. The government must now be responsible and declare a cease-fire.
Bichu Muttathara Pune
