• This refers to ‘Cong does the President’s son a favour’, (IE, September 24). To stand for elections is a democratic right that should be enjoyed by every citizen. However the aspirations of Rajendra Shekhawat are somewhat curious. Would he have stood if he were not President Pratibha Patil’s son? His candidature on a Congress ticket has created an unwarranted controversy and has dragged the president’s office into the mess as well. If Shekhawat has genuine aspirations to enter politics he should contest as an independent candidate as that would silence his critics.

— S.N. Kabra

Mumbai

Family business

•Gone are the days when our politicians equated politics with service for the masses (‘It’s relative’, IE, September 23). Given the rapid pace of globalisation and growing materialism, politics too has become a business. It appears as though this is the manner in which the younger generations will step into politics. Ironically there have been instances where parties that often talk of honest, clean and transparent public lives are not above dynastic thought and would prop up the progeny of a popular leader.

— Ved Guliani

Hisar

•Dynastic politics is nothing new but the Maharashtra assembly elections have brought the issue to light once again. One can argue that politics has indeed become a remunerative business: one which has not been affected by the recession, and thus politicians are capable of endorsing nominations for their near and dear. Sadly, merit, qualifications and voter endorsement have taken a back seat. Simply look at Maharashtra. However, the ball is now in the voters’ court and it is the people who will exercise their wisdom and vote in the best interest of the state.

... contd.