M A I L B A G

Sonia’s decision to quit enhances her image

The whole nation saw a new political sacrifice on the basis of morals and principles. Congress President Sonia Gandhi proved again that the whole Indian politics couldn’t be symbolised as power game. There are certain values still present in our present-day political system. This cannot be analysed with a perspective of drama or stunt only, but it has a lot of future impact.

All this requires a lot of courage and political will power and definitely Mrs Sonia Gandhi demonstrated that. True, this decision has enhanced her public base and the image of a clean politician. She made to score the home run against the so-called Sonia-targeted politics played by the Opposition. Now the ball bounced to the Opposition side.

This decision will also have a bearing on the coming Assembly elections to four states and one Union Territory. Of course, time will tell whether this decision — Mrs Gandhi’s resignation from the Lok Sabha membership and the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council — will help the party overcome the party’s crises in the wake of the Scorpio submarine deal, Volker report, Quattarochi account etc.

KAWALDEEP SINGH, Patiala

II

Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s resignation was out of compulsion as the bungling of the controversy over the office of profit issue would have raised a storm and adversely affect the Congress’ performance in the ensuing Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Pondicherry. The resignation is a shrewd political move to impress people by exercising self-denial. It is rather an ill-timed move and exposes the UPA government’s immaturity in handling a crisis. First it kept mum on Mrs Jaya Bachchan’s disqualification and then, planned an ordinance for which Parliament was abruptly adjourned sine die. And when the possible consequences of the ordinance were visualised in growing public discontent, Mrs Sonia Gandhi tried to make herself a martyr.

VED GULIANI, Hisar

III

Yes, she has done it again. By resigning as NAC Chairperson and MP, Mrs Sonia Gandhi has taken the wind out of the sails of the Opposition and her critics. Earlier it was the voice of her conscience. And this time “it is the right thing to do”.I think this is a master strategic step, driven out of selflessness of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and her desire to steer clear of controversies. She refuses to provide a cause to the Opposition to malign her or pull down the UPA Government.

She also does not at any stage, want the Congress or Dr Manmohan Singh’s  government to be embarrassed because of her or the Gandhi family. Sonia is bound to return to Parliament with a thumping victory. Her resignation will make the UPA and Congress stronger. Thanks to the BJP, she has learnt to turn defeat into victory.

MADHU R.D. SINGH, Ambala Cantonment

Check parallel economy Recently many banks floated HUDA finance schemes to help applicants. However, the rising rates of plots are out of reach of the common man. Banks are also supposed to finance only for productive purposes as mentioned in the Banking Regulation Act to alleviate poverty and unequal distribution of money in society. These schemes will only lead to accumulation of wealth in a few hands and widen the gap between the rich and the poor. Also a sizeable amount of money is black which can otherwise be diverted to other productive purposes. These schemes will only give impetus to speculation resulting in the increase of black money in the economy. For if these plots are allotted to investors, they get easy money by selling them off at high premia as rarely such investors need plots for house construction. The government and the judiciary should help stop this practice so that genuine plot seekers have a good chance to get the plots and further growth of parallel economy is stopped. VARINDER GOYAL, Dept. of Economics, RKSD Evening College, Kaithal

School timings

Teaching hours in Punjab’s government primary schools are from 9 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. Students in these schools are in the 5-11 age group. They find it difficult to stay in the schools for such a long time. This also results in physical and mental fatigue.

The government should, therefore, review the timings. Ideally, we must revert to the old timings which were in force during the last several decades.

S.S. UTREJA, Nangal Township