Challenge for Congress

Sir, - `A blurry political vision' (April 2) by Ms. Malini Parthasarathy was a brilliant analysis. It vividly highlighted the present murky political environment. It is unfortunate that the BJP coalition has suddenly transformed itself from a `zero- tolerance' ideal to a `zero-ethics' reality. Its credibility has been eroded in the recent days after the exposure by the Tehelka tapes. What had been achieved seems to have evaporated all of a sudden. But the Congress is unable to rise to the occasion as an alternative. It should put its past behind and move decisively to acquire a political identity that is more compatible with the realities and challenges of the present moment. Otherwise it will not be able to lead an effective challenge to the BJP's stewardship of this country.

K. Ramamurthi,

Chennai

Sir, - Ms. Malini Parthasarathy's article reads like a `state of the nation' report: clear-headed, objective and diagnostically correct. True, the sickness is on both sides of the political fence the symptoms being broadly similar. On the one side the ruling combine is no bunch of certified angels as made out at the outset. There is currently a frantic search for devices to keep their threatened halos intact. The more glaring aspect of the ruling elite is that the back- stage bigots are too visible at times, playing their silly games!

The Opposition side is no haven of hope either. Apparently they have not lived down their notorious ways of old.

N. Thanu,

Tirunelveli, T.N.

Sir, - Instead of projecting other leaders in the party who might have electoral appeal, such as the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, the Congress party remains a prisoner of its monolithic past. There are many competent leaders outside the fold of the Nehru dynasty. In fact, Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao administered the nation well with innovative economic policies with the able assistance of Dr. Manmohan Singh. But the tragedy is the Congress refuses to see anyone beyond the Nehru family for electoral reasons. The initial mistake was committed by none other than the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He had a soft corner for Jawaharlal Nehru to the exclusion of stalwarts like Vallabhai Patel.

The party needs a re-orientation of its strategies. Sensing that it will never come back to power on its own, it is now in favour of coalition governments. But the mere realisation of the political necessity is not enough.

V. N. Gopal,

Chennai

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