The article “A year of down and down for Congress” (Dec. 31, 2010) was timely. It effectively brought out the highs and lows of the Congress in 2010. Whether it is on the inglorious Radia tapes exposé or the Commonwealth Games imbroglio, the Congress is going to have a difficult time restoring the citizen's faith in the UPA government.
S. Nazrin,
Kollam
The Congress-led UPA government has changed the definition of governance. UPA II showed us how corporate houses with the help of a “lobbyist” can subvert the system and appoint a person of their wish to a Ministry of their choice. The government must show some concern for the aam aadmi , if it wants to continue in power. The emergence of effective leaders like Nitish Kumar has sent a clear message — deliver or face the music.
Dishank Purohit,
Jaipur
One of the notable aspects of the year gone by is the unprecedented rise in public cynicism towards the political class. An entire session of Parliament ended without transacting any business, with the Opposition demanding a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum allocation and the ruling dispensation not agreeing to it. The Radia tapes were an eye-opener to many as they showed how our democracy can be manipulated by corporates through their lobbyists.
Bringing in more transparency and accountability and restoring people's faith in democracy should be the UPA government's priority in 2011.
Shanila Jeyaram,
Madurai
Our politicians have exploited the term ‘democracy,' maimed it and manipulated it to serve their narrow interests. We swear by our democracy saying people are supreme and they have the power to change the government in the next election. But at the time of elections, we find that the same politicians win not by using democratic means but by twisting the system.
The only hope of democracy lies in the freedom of speech. If that too is taken away, as in the case of Dr. Sen, the true spirit of democracy will be trampled and trampled brutally. Without dissent, a democracy cannot survive.
Balraj Cheema,
Ontario
