The collapse of the AIADMK-Left alliance comes as no surprise (March 6). It is no secret that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s intention is to win all the Lok Sabha seats in the State and play a key role in the formation of the Central government. It was the CPI, one of the Left parties, that said on February 2 that her prospects of becoming Prime Minister could open up. The third alternative should realise that the Tamil Nadu leader is too shrewd a politician to give others a free ride.
C.G. Kuriakose,
Kothamangalam, Kerala
This refers to the article, “Ready to support, afraid to join in” (March 5). While it is true that the Left parties played a crucial role in government-formation during the period 1996-1998, much water has flowed under the bridge since then. While its efforts to form a third alternative of like-minded parties is laudable, the hurry with which it is being formed raises doubts over its viability as a formation that could take on the Congress and the BJP. The lack of a common minimum programme and a leader acceptable to all is the primary defect. A formation that leaves out the Congress and the BJP could prove unviable, too.
K. Sivasubramanian,
Chennai
