Opinion Hard mosaic

Every party,as well as every leader of any consequence,is trying to form winning or bargaining combinations notwithstanding public expectations or the demands of their own so-called ideology......

March 10, 2009 01:13 AM IST First published on: Mar 10, 2009 at 01:13 AM IST

Opportunist and unscrupulous as our political leadership has grown over the years,we would be naïve to believe in its promises and slogans (Friendly contests,IE,March 7). Every party,as well as every leader of any consequence,is trying to form winning or bargaining combinations notwithstanding public expectations or the demands of their own so-called ideology. In the weeks ahead,we shouldnt be surprised if,say,the Samajwadi Party forms an alliance with the BSP or if Jayalalithaa suddenly forgets her ancient enmity with the DMK. Likewise,departing allies may also return to the fold. What underlies todays politics is the need to be assured of power or at least the crumbs of power. Ideology and welfare naturally do not figure in such a mosaic of interests.

Ved Guliani

Hisar

Bubbles in air

The name of the game in politics is finger pointing. No holds are barred when it comes to that sport,with even brilliant minds stooping to conquer. There are thus writers like Arun Shourie (Bubble,bubble,toil and trouble,IE,March 4),obsessed with something or the other Bofors or economic growth. It is imperative for them to display excessive pessimism with regard to opponents and irrational optimism when it comes to their own party. A discerning reader,for sure,will sift the chaff from the grain. That,after all,is the best truth finding democratic mechanism.

Mukund B. Kunte

New Delhi

Rear window

As a reader,I would like to thank The Indian Express for carrying Inder Malhotras column Rear View. Despite globalisation and the advent of television and Internet journalism,the political coverage of your paper is never dry. Malhotras articles bring back memories for many and bring to life significant past events for those born not before the 70s. Apart from Malhotras range and style,his anecdotes make for delightful reading too. One of the larger lessons that one can perhaps draw from Malhotra is that the more things change,the more they remain the same.

Biswa Prasun Chatterji

Mumbai

Discounting us

A crisis-ridden US is seeking refuge in protectionism (Buy American draws FMs ire,IE,March 7). With two wars and the countrys debt reaching absurd figures,America is withdrawing to heal its wounds. The Buy American clause,dissuading US companies from shifting jobs offshore,and restrictions on migrants taking up indigenous jobs come when the world needed unprecedented global cooperation.

Ashwani Sharma

Ghaziabad

Double trouble

Murtaza Razvis On the days after (IE,March 6) is thought provoking but stops short of analysing the reasons for Pakistans failure to contain terrorism. Years of US

manipulation and now the extremists have made Pakistan a begging bowl of an economy,with

terrorism as its main export.

Vitull K. Gupta Bhatinda