Mailbag

Towards polarisation

Sir,

Poll-results of Lok Sabha and some state-assemblies have again reflected matured awareness of Indian voters. Same voters in Maharashtra voted BJP-Shivsena combine for the centre, while rejecting same combination for the state assembly. Likewise selfish corrupt politicians like Dr Subramaniam Swamy, Laloo Prasad Yadav and many others lost due to their past mischiefs. BJP had to pay heavily in UP because of unholy formation of Kalyan Singh government. It is high time that political parties may plan their strategy by foreseeing the future.

If BJP wants to restore its old glory in UP, it should sacrifice balance assembly-term by making Kalyan Singh government resign to recommend President's rule in the state. Otherwise it will have to pay even more by continuing with jumbo-sized unpopular cabinet that too with notorious criminals.

In national interest two-party system should be encouraged for which Congress should also own responsibility to play politics in a matured manner. It is clear that Indian voters have by and large supported the theory of placing only Indian born citizens on highest posts. Sonia Gandhi could win the safest Bellary Lok Sabha seat by a low margin only because of hectic campaign of Priyanka Gandhi in her support. It is clear that if Sonia Gandhi resigns from Bellary, Sushma Swaraj of BJP will definitely win by contesting the by-election from Bellary. If Congress wants to encash Nehru family, Sonia Gandhi should resign from Amethi to put her Indian-born daughter Priyanka Gandhi as Congress candidate from Amethi!

Both BJP and Congress should learn that unrealistic combinations solely to get some extra seats, in fact result adversely. For example, BJP had to lose Karnataka because of unpopular Janta Dal (United) there, Congress had to pay similar price by aligning with HVP in Haryana, and RJD in Bihar. National leaders of both BJP and Congress ignored advice of their state units to go alone in these states. BJP and Congress should plan long-term politics avoiding short-term gains. Personality based parties like of Shankersingh Vaghela in Gujarat or of Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra cannot last long. However world-acclaimed state-level leaders like Chanderbabu Naidu who made TDP win through his able administration, should be persuaded to join national parties by giving them full hand in state-affairs and seeking advice at national level. It is in national interest that able leaders like Chanderbabu Naidu may become national leader by joining any national party to strengthen two-party system in the country.

Yours etc...
Madhu Agrawal,
1775, Kucha Lattushah,
Dariba, Delhi-110006.

Accidents galore

Sir,

Accidents means ''Unforseen or Unexpected event''. Poor passengers are caught unaware. This happens even when some of the passengers are sleeping or are busy in talking with each other whether they are travelling by a bus, a train or a plane. These accidents were very rare in the past but now-a-days these have become a fashion of the day. Hardly a day passes when we do not hear about these accidents whether in air or on ground. There are no hard and fast rules applying to the defaulter drivers. If there are some, these are only on paper. No action is being taken against those drivers who drive after drinking and who cannot safeguard the interests of the poor passengers. Recently, an accident took place on Jammu-Srinagar National highway at Chenani when Amarnath Yatris were returning to their destinations after performing the Yatra. There were some locals as well on board the ill fated bus when it met with the accident. The driver was drunk and took the life of 8-9 poor passengers. It is not understood how such drivers are allowed to drive on long routes when they are not able to drive on short routes. There is no proper checking system where the condition of drivers be checked and allowed to go forward only if they are found fit and are not drunk. Poor passengers travel in their vehicles to reach their destinations at the earliest but instead of dropping them at their proper places of living throw them in gorges and nallahs. There should be some checking points where these drivers are brought to book. Such drivers after committing such a heinous crime stay a day or two in the police stations and are freed honourably whereas there should be some harsh punishment for such drivers who are responsible for kiling of innocent passengers.

Same is the case with Railways. We hardly used to hear about train accidents. Today, we hear that some train has derailed at one point or the two trains have collided at other point. Our system of working needs some change without which efficiency could not be witnessed. Sense of responsibility has vanished from the minds of officials. So many precious lives have been lost in these accidents due to the carelessness of commanders of these trains. Merely resignations of concerned Ministers will not cure this disease. Instead of resignations, strenous efforts should be made to run their departments efficiently and take strict action against the erring officials.

Yours etc...
Surjeet Singh