Opinion Talking politicians

— James Manor,University of London

Smooth operator

THIS refers to ‘The Mulayam touch’. UPA 2 was jolted by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Mulayam bailed it out again. The shrewd politician,despite his differences with the UPA,has ensured dividends for himself at a later stage. As the article says: “He is cleverer than the competition,100 per cent politician,his open,accessible and thick-skinned style is an added asset.” In this round of politics,Mulayam has won the match.

— Vijay D. Patil

Pune

WITH regard to the article,‘The Mulayam Touch’,it cannot be disputed that the SP chief is the most political among the many “unpredictables” in the history of independent India. He knows where his pound of flesh lies. His adroitness and political pragmatism are beyond doubt. He never takes a political shortcut to ensure that his votebank is secure. The last of the true Lohiaites,Mulayam is going to play a much greater role in times to come. It was aptly said that he is an old-fashioned politician.

— C. Bhattacharyya

Porbandar

Green signals

THE economic reforms announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have brought great praise for him and the markets show that at last UPA 2 has started doing something positive for India,rather than just for the Congress party (‘In his words’,IE,September 22). These reforms came only after Pranab Mukherjee vacated the post of finance minister. It suggests,perhaps,that he was the one stalling such bold reform.

— Sadashiv S. Apte

Pune

The naysayers

THE TMC seems to be mixed up in its agenda against the government (‘Mamata Banerjee announces withdrawal of support to UPA’,IE,September 18). While the common man may appreciate its stand against the diesel price hike,the party’s opposition to FDI seems have become mere habit. The TMC has a history of blocking any kind of proposal for economic development. Singur is a case in point. FDI brings with it great inflows of money,skills,job opportunities and intense competition,which will yield better products for consumers. The fastest growing economies in the world have been receiving huge amounts of FDI for decades now. To be on par

with them,India needs some bold economic reforms. When UPA 2 has finally woken up to economic reforms,allies should support it instead of being opportunistic and abandoning the government in its hour of need.

— Megha Badoutiya

Navi Mumbai