Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On consensus

In 2002, the NDA announced the candidature of Abdul Kalam and started the process of building a consensus in his favour, knowing full well that the Congress would not extend support if its candidate had RSS leanings. Similarly, the UPA could have nominated a person without a Congress background so that he or she would have been acceptable to the NDA and other opposition parties. He or she could have then emerged as a consensus candidate. Ideally, the country’s first citizen should be elected by consensus. As a prelude to achieving this, both Mr. Shekhawat and Ms. Patil should withdraw from the race.

T.K. Rajagopalan,
Bangalore

Election is in no way inferior to a consensus. In fact, a free and fair election will make a democracy more vibrant. It is not that Ms. Patil is not a good choice. But Mr. Shekhawat is also a good candidate. The arithmetic may not be in his favour. But that does not mean he should withdraw from the contest. In an election, only one person can win. A loss is certainly not a disgrace to the person who is defeated.

Satheesan Raja,
Thrissur

Why should there be a consensus and in what way will it help the functioning of the President? All that is required of a President is that he or she should be above politics. There are umpteen number of people who are suited for the post, consensus or no consensus.

V.S. Venkatavaradan,
Salem

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Unwarranted fury
Israel and Fatah
Rajnath Singh’s thirteen statecraft
We want consensus, not confrontation, on industrialisation: Buddhadeb
Scenes of Fatahland vs. Hamastan wilt sheer fantasy
New way for individuals to save rainforests
Corrections and clarifications
Advantage Pratibha
Not fair
On consensus
The veil controversy
Sir Salman
Proud moment

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu