M A I L B A G

What NDA should do, if elected

Apropos of H. K. Dua’s article “Like it or not, it’s a coalition: Ground realities are asserting at the polls” (April 28), the situation indicates a hung Lok Sabha as of now. The India Shining campaign of the NDA hasn’t helped the BJP. Nor has the feel-good factor done any good. The BJP may emerge as the single largest party, but the NDA is poised to lead the country for yet another term.

While the achievements of the NDA are being highlighted, scams like Tehelka, Judeo, Telgi and major issues like water scarcity, starvation deaths, suicide by farmers etc. are being sidelined. I strongly feel that the government should own up responsibility for its failures as equally as its achievements and should not create a wrong impression with statistics.

True, the pace of development has been tremendous during the past six years. Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s coalition government should necessarily take the credit for proper use of the resources and the infrastructure available. The presence of a coalition has kept a watchful eye on the decisions being taken by the Centre and has ensured overall growth favourable to the masses and speedy development in the country.

SUBALAKSHMI P. DURGA, Chandigarh

II

The political parties and the politicians have almost zero-rating in the public eye. They can stoop to any extent for personal gain. Party ideology, service to the people and secularism etc., are mere slogans, mouthed now and then to befool the people. The current elections have exposed their true faces.

Our netas are jumping parties on unprincipled and laughable excuses like the denial of candidature to them, their spouses, kids, relatives or even some supporters.

On joining the new party, these turncoats change colours the very next day and start singing praises of its leadership and programmes. Regrettably, defections this year have been on a massive scale.

Even after 54 years of Independence, our democracy has failed to mature and the politicians arelargely responsible for this.

The people are feeling frustrated and indifferent, which is evident from the poor turnout in the current elections.

J. K. MAGO, Panchkula

Sukh Ram’s hypocrisy The story of corruption and hypocrisy of Mr Sukh Ram as recounted by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta in his article “Return of the prodigal” (April 30) is incomplete, if no mention is made of his blackmailing and bargaining tactics over the years. His recent somersault has seriously dented whatever remains of his credibility. In 1997-98, he floated his political outfit called the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) solely to fight the alleged corruption of Virbhadra Singh. After the formation of the BJP-HVC government, he got all his MLAs inducted into the ministry by resorting to blackmailing. A Rajya Sabha seat was spared for his son when he was told to relinquish his Cabinet post by Mr A.B. Vajpayee till he was cleared of all charges of corruption by courts. Thereafter, he pressurised Mr P.K. Dhumal into accommodating him as chairman with Cabinet perks. Today, he is accusing the same BJP of “breach of faith” after enjoying the fruits of power for full five years. Mr Sukh Ram submitted long charge-sheets of allegations of corruption and nepotism against Mr Virbhadra Singh to the Governor, the Lok Ayukta and the CBI. He waged a relentless campaign against Mr Virbhadra Singh. The scene has, since, rapidly changed. Mr Sukh Ram has merged his HVC with the Congress and has prostrated in front of the same ‘Raja’ without any scruples. Today, he is busy campaigning for ‘Rani’ Prathiba Singh praising the leadership of her husband. The only secret is the reward for which he mush have bargained hard. Truly, Mr Sukh Ram is where ‘Sukh’ is ! PUNEET PANDIT, Shimla

Our netas’ assets

On the face of it, some of the assets disclosed by our candidates while filing their nomination papers are shocking. We know what was their financial status a decade ago. Now, by their own admission, most of them are rolling in wealth. From where has this windfall come, if not through the loot of the public money? Should they not be called upon to explain? But who will bell the cat?

Under the present law, the police are empowered to investigate a case if strong suspicion exits. But this is only theory. The ground reality is that even a murder case is not registered without a nod from the powers that be.

The need of the hour, therefore, is an independent agency — Investigator and Prosecutor of India — to take congisance of such cases and investigate and prosecute them. He should be a Constitutional authority like the Election Commission.

RAM SHARAN BHATIA, District & Sessions Judge (retd), Faridabad

II

Affidavits filed by a large number of candidates reveal that the values mentioned therein are only a tip of the iceberg. In some cases, it is only equivalent to their weekly or monthly income. Politicians in power have vast means of amassing wealth. They either own or have benami transactions in big business, industries, transport, cargo companies and so on. Besides, they receive huge kickbacks in appointments, postings and transfers.

In the affidavit, one is supposed to declare everything. When the foundation of our netas start from dishonesty, untruth and lies, how can the public hope that they would discharge their functions honestly once elected? No rule of law applies to them.

T. R. GOYAL, Chandigarh

AIR programmes

In recent months, All-India Radio, Jalandhar, has started many innovative and interesting programmes on FM 102.7 MHz channel. But there are certain programmes like “Good Morning Jalandhar” and “Nigehban Ankhen” which are jarring to the ears because of shoddy handling. They insist on talking in Hindi and grammatically wrong English.

Even the telephonic interviews are marred by their presentation. Why can’t they speak in good Punjabi? The range of FM is not beyond 150 km. So to whom do they want to target? As most listeners are Punjabis, I suggest AIR producers to induct only those who speak good Punjabi so that everyone enjoys the programmes.

Dr R. K. MAHINDRU, Jalandhar