Shekhar Gupta has rightly said that half the Congress leaders are already in campaign mode for 2014 (United regressive alliance,IE,September 4). Their confidence is not ill-founded altogether because the anti-Congressism of the 80s and 90s has ceased to be an issue,with parties supposed to represent that anti-Congressism sharing power with the Congress and the BJP looking like a Congress-clone when in power. Peoples impatience with regional parties indifference to national issues is another factor that adds to the smugness of Congressmen. Congresss rediscovery of poverty and its obsession with programmes like MNREGA is another sign of its myopia towards larger issues of growth and infrastructure. The UPAs regression is complete with the inclusion of caste in the 2011 census. With such a warped vision,the Congress is sure to follow the BJP-led NDA,which became a victim of its own narcissism.
Mark the drift
Shekhar Gupta has painted a grim picture of the deep disconnect between the UPA government and the Congress party,as well as the drift that seems to have taken hold of the government. Its pathetic when the government appears clueless. Let us be frank: Guptas assessment of this lame duck and everyman-for-himself-government conclusively proves that it lacks firm leadership; the prime minister is surely in office,but not in power.
M. Ratan
New Delhi
Slumming out
This refers to the editorial 93 million of us (IE,September 6). The burgeoning slums in our cities represent a stark mismatch between aspiration and opportunity. Your editorial rightly points out that the people living in these slums are a vast reservoir of energy. This energy,if tapped and used the right way,can add fuel to the economic engine; but if allowed to fester in the mire of neglect and apathy,it can prove very dangerous. We have seen from time to time how easily excitable passions of slum dwellers have been used for nefarious designs. Our problems today are unique in proportion,and need unique solutions. Traditionally,our institutions lack the imagination to think big. However,its heartening to see that the Rajiv Awas Yojana has set ambitious goals for itself. What remains to be seen is if we can adequately handle that other big problem implementation.
Gurpreet S. Goraya
Mohali
Crossing the red line
This refers to your forthright editorial Thin Red line (IE,September 4). Maoists have well-proven their disregard for life,liberty and public utilities,which must act as an eye-opener for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar,so far under the illusion of taming the beast. The argument of further alienation is illogical and the economic uplift of the locals in Maoist-affected areas is impossible unless the insurgents are ousted.
M.C. Joshi
