Opinion Million dollar question

The abject surrender of the Swat valley to the Taliban has pushed Pakistan into such chaos and anarchy that any hopes of a stable,democratic and developing Pakistan are now an unattainable dream....

March 4, 2009 12:17 AM IST First published on: Mar 4, 2009 at 12:17 AM IST

The abject surrender of the Swat valley to the Taliban has pushed Pakistan into such chaos and anarchy that any hopes of a stable,democratic and developing Pakistan are now an unattainable dream (Trouble in the neighbourhood,IE,March 1). Further,the signs of a violent disintegration are so strong that Pakistan may eventually be torn apart by its own contradictions. Politically Pakistan is in a perilous situation: President Asif Ali Zardari has no political base and is at the mercy of extra-constitutional forces. Al-Qaeda in Pakistan has found a conducive environment for regaining global reach. The million-dollar question is whether the Pakistan army and the ISI are in any way capable of containing the militancy and terrorism being perpetrated by the Taliban and other jihadi groups.

Ved Guiliani

Chandigarh

Reality politics

The experiment to install a prime minister who has no majority in the Lok Sabha has been tried and has failed (Empawarment IE,March 3). There are many names that are floating about in the political marketplace. One of them is Mayawati: rising to the position of prime minister is not a deal that can be hatched in secrecy,and if it is,it cannot last.

Parimal Y. Mehta.

Mumbai

Waiting in line

This refers to Pawars ultimatum,warns Congress of other options (IE,March 2). Sharad Pawars last minute attempt to forge a coalition with the Congress is not unexpected. As a member of the UPA the over-ambitious politician has his eyes firmly set on the PMs chair. Not long ago he had claimed that his aim was to rule from Delhi and not from Maharashtra: he will try to bag the maximum number of seats outside Maharashtra. He is well aware that the Shiv Sena will back him,as was the case with President Pratibha Patil. However,the Congresss own prime ministerial candidates are waiting in the queue,much to the disappointment of Pawar.

Deepak Chikramane

Mumbai

For fidelity

Almost every reform made till now in election processes has come about through the initiatives or directions of the Election Commission. This time round,the Election Commission should further tighten norms to avoid the poll process from being made into a mockery. It is important to check bigamy amongst poll contestants,and probable winners should have to declare names of their spouse/s while filing nominations. In addition to this,since a person cannot represent two constituencies or become a member of both Parliament and a state assembly,no person should be allowed to contest from more than one constituency.

Madhu Agrawal

Delhi