Faces of a leader

— Satish Dayal

New Delhi

• Mihir Sharma is right in saying that Mamata Banerjee’s politics of “negationism” might negate her chances of ever becoming CM. Mamata’s politics are unsuitable for electoral victory. However, one cannot say that her variety of politics is not desirable at all in today’s Bengal. Had there been no Mamata, the CPM would have got away with Nandigram and much else. In fact, Mamata’s “Cholbe Na” politics has given a voice to the oppressed, at the cost of her becoming CM. This is a laudable sacrifice.

Kolkata

Justice delayed

• This refers to 'Cruel to be kind'. Milind Murugkar has rightly analysed the typical instrument used by the Government to safeguard the interests of urban consumers at the cost of those of farmers. Even today, there isn’t any organised and effective agriculturists’ union to fight for farmers’ rights. No political party seems interested in exploiting this opportunity either.

— Shishir Sindekar

Nasik

Bad precedent

• The three service chiefs have delayed the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations cleared by the cabinet. To use parity with the civil services as an excuse to challenge the government’s decision, however unjust it may look to the defence personnel, is not in the right spirit. Disobedience of any sort is a serious offence in the defence forces. Therefore, the three chiefs have left a lot to be desired.

Such acts would set a dangerous precedent in the defence forces.

— V.P. Damodar

Pune

Delhi’s piles

• Among Delhi’s many problems, garbage disposal gets very little attention. A strange anomaly considering no citizen surely likes being close to badly disposed garbage. This is a city-wide problem — I have personal experience in the Uttam Nagar locality — and it is both an eyesore and a health-hazard. There are court directions on this, but no authority seems bothered. Unauthorised garbage pick-ups are the root cause. But someone will have to apply the law.

... contd.