L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

SP displays political maturity

In his front-page editorial, “PM need not cancel his flight to Tokyo now” (July 6), H.K. Dua has given his free and frank advice to the UPA government and all political parties on the nuclear deal.

It must be said that Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and his party have displayed political maturity for coming in support of the nuclear deal. Dr Kalam’s words “national interest is higher than politics” quoted by Mr Yadav comes as a whiff of fresh air from our politicians.

That they sought the views of a great scientist and nationalist like Dr Kalam speaks volumes about their sagacious action. The advice of Dr Kalam, who has worked closely in the nuclear field, has been given due weightage. The events of the last few days have finally brought relief to the nation.

The Left has been a stumbling block not only for the nuclear deal but also for every action of the government to further liberalise the economy. One can imagine India’s condition had they been in the same dictating terms during 1990’s when economic reforms were put on road. The successful completion of the nuclear deal and the survival of the government in any floor test will put the Left in their proper place.

The same is the case with the BJP which has been crying hoarse to dislodge the UPA government. As pointed out in the editorial, the credibility of the billion people is at stake. The Tribune, through articles by leading figures, letters and editorials, has played a positive role in educating the general public on the issue.

Brig H.S. SANDHU (retd), Panchkula

II

The CPM-led Left, with a motivated plan, has been trying to block the nuclear deal for quite some time. The Samajwadi Party led by Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mr Amar Singh has more sinister designs in supporting the UPA government, after four years, on the deal. Seeking former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s views on the deal is irrelevant. Thus, the UPA should be wary of the SP’s support.

The UNPA, the so-called third front, has been aborted before its birth. The NDA got the ammunition to fire the opportunistic politics, unscrupulous and wavering stand of the Manmohan Singh government. The belated stand by the Prime Minister now will not help provide stability to his tottering government.

The UPA government’s report card shows very poor results - lack of governance, weak foreign policy, non-performance particularly in food and agriculture, PDS, runaway prices and so on. The opportunistic policies of the UPA won’t help the common people in the long run.

We need a stable and strong government which can safeguard the national interest, and can ameliorate the difficulties of the poor people (aam admi) effectively.

GURDEV SINGH, Mohali

III

I read Mr Dua’s front-page editorial and the other editorial, “Left out in the cold” (July 9). The world knows the extent of Sino-US relations in trade and other fields of mutual comforts, but little about China’s handshake on the nuclear deal.

The Left’s hypocrisy stands exposed. It has always been silent on disturbing national issues like the Maoist activities and China’s designs and claims on large parts of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. In any case, the nation will get an opportunity to question the Left parties and their intrigue in the coming general elections.

B.M. SINGH, Brockville (Canada)

Soldier’s right to vote I read Brig H.S. Ghuman’s letter, “Biased against soldiers” (July 8). The Election Commission has cleared the case for soldiers to register as ordinary voters at the place of their posting in May 2007, either when, “house-to-house” enumeration is carried out (never carried out in the case of soldiers in cantonments) or the military to create arrangements at each station to register the names of all service personnel and their family members with the respective EROs by filling Forms 2 and 2A. The Army Head Quarters (PS-2) had, in Oct 2007, asked HQ Commands for their views. That is where the matter rests. It is because of the laziness and casual attitude of AHQ and HQ Commands that the soldiers are being denied their constitutional right to vote. The AHQ should give up its lackadaisical attitude and get every soldier and his family at every military station registered with the appropriate ERO. The EROs have been instructed by the Election Commission to place the names of these soldiers at the bottom of their lists. Those in field areas too should be registered with the local EROs. This should be done even in respect of troops deployed in remote areas - even at Siachen, with the ERO at Leh. The ERO can be asked to open a booth at the nearby village or at the Base Camp in the case of Siachen and in other cases in the cantonments, wherever these are normally not located. This process should be taken in hand without delay so that soldiers are able to vote at the places of their posting in the ensuing general elections. Lt-Gen HARWANT SINGH (retd), Chandigarh