• Given the seriousness of the global economic crisis, G-20 members must try and agree upon reform of the IMF by focusing on issues like legitimacy and scope. Since the IMF’s role has expanded, it needs to ensure that its actions are transparent and effective. It should also be assessed through accountability mechanisms. But the point of departure must be a restructuring of the voting mechanism to give emerging economies and those in need of assistance the leverage they need.

— Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik

New Delhi

Lesson for others

• The Supreme Court’s verdict against Sanjay Dutt must serve as a lesson to every political party. The SC’s decision must be held in high esteem. It’s very important for the Election Commission to monitor individual candidates’ records and leave the courts to decide on their fitness to contest. 

— S. Krishna Kumar

Dombivli

• The Supreme Court’s decision to bar Sanjay Dutt from contesting elections is welcome. Apart from the EC and the law, political parties should avoid picking candidates that they may deem popular but whose flaws and misdeeds they disregard. The rest, of course, is in the hands of the electorate.

— Mahesh Kumar

New Delhi

People power

• Most political parties do not have the will to abstain from offering a ticket to apparently crowd-pulling but tainted candidates. Thus it is necessary for the educated sections of society to react to the malaise and create awareness among the masses. If the public becomes vocal over its objections to dubious candidates, parties may finally refrain from fielding them.

... contd.