This is an archive article published on April 22, 2014

Opinion Time to play ball

The BCCI has decided to constitute a three-member panel to investigate allegations of spot fixing and betting.

April 22, 2014 12:29 AM IST First published on: Apr 22, 2014 at 12:29 AM IST

* This refers to ‘BCCI keeps it in-house’ (IE, April 21). The BCCI has decided to constitute a three-member panel to investigate allegations of spot fixing and betting. One of those facing such allegations is former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan. Ravi Shastri is among the names recommended for the three-member panel. Though a respected name in cricket circles, he is a BCCI employee, which raises questions on his objectivity. It wold be better for him to stay away from the controversy. The present set of BCCI office bearers and the many state cricket associations have been happy to go along with the decisions taken by Srinivasan. If the cricket board wants to restore its reputation, it should revisit all the amendments made to its constitution in Srinivasan’s tenure.
— Vinod Sharma
Moga

Stated purposes

* Apropos of ‘Meeting point’ by Manish Sabharwal (IE, April 21), the chief function of the National Development Council is to act as a link between the Centre and the states. But the NDC has often been reduced to a mere rubber stamp deployed by the Central government. This was especially the case when the same party was in power at the Centre and in the states. But with various states having various ruling parties, the clamour for federal representation has become more insistent. States are demanding more space for their concerns to be addressed.
— Deepak Raj
Patna

Speaking freely

* This election is bringing out the worst in our politicians. Even those who are normally circumspect are giving in to extreme tendencies. It has become the norm to say whatever pleases a party’s core constituency. Once the message is conveyed to the faithful, parties can issue denials. The Election Commission and the media eventually accept their protestations of innocence and it is back to business as usual. Politicians like Giriraj Singh have set a terrible example by refusing to change their stances (‘Giriraj Singh defiant despite FIR, says he stands by his “Modi critics must go to Pak” remarks’, IE, April 21). The administration and the police are reluctant to act against such leaders, fearing repercussions. The time is ripe to chastise such leaders on both sides of the political divide by voting them out.

— D.V.R. Rao
Pune

Bangalore low

* In her article ‘Aloof in Bangalore’ (IE, April 21), Saritha Rai has attributed the unremarkable voter turnout in Bangalore to apathy among urban voters rather than a loss of faith in candidates. NOTA may be an option, but many do not want to queue for hours just to vote NOTA. Botched up voter rolls may also have contributed to the relatively low turnout.
— C.V. Aravind
Bangalore