On the BJP

This refers to the editorial, “BJP's return to form” (Jan. 11). A popular mood swing towards the BJP like the one that favoured V.P. Singh in the late 1980s is unlikely in the current situation. In fact, it took the form of a V.P. Singh-led movement to fight corruption in high places. If people then frowned on the Congress for practising corruption, they now want the political system that breeds corruption cleansed. V.P. Singh's party also espoused secularism. The BJP needs to ponder over this.

G. David Milton,

Maruthancode

Kudos to the well balanced editorial. While highlighting how the Congress may pay dearly for its refusal to yield to a united Opposition demand for a JPC probe into 2G spectrum irregularities, the editorial provided an insight into the enormity of the advantage derived by the BJP. There is enough in it to awaken those in deep slumber.

K.D. Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore

Before raising the issue of corruption, the BJP has to first set right party affairs. Perhaps it would be to the party's credit if it forces the government to bring in an ordinance in the coming 2011 budget session to attach all property, including a freezing of bank accounts, as the first step in cases of economic offences — as is prevalent in Malaysia — and set up an Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) — like the one in Hong Kong in 1974 — in the backdrop of of corruption.

E. Krishnan,

Palakkad

In a democracy, it is natural for political parties to aspire for the highest political office and the fishes and loaves that go with it. But the BJP's rule of political conduct that any stick is good enough to belabour anyone that it thinks is a hindrance to its march to power is indicative of its impatience, besides demonstrating its political and intellectual corruption. It is time the BJP understood that innuendos driven by political rancour are not enough to capture political power through the electoral system.

P. Krishnan,

Puttaparthi

With the BJP deciding to make corruption its number one poll plank, will things change for the better? Unfortunately in our country, fighting corruption means a politician hurling accusations at another, taking out morchas and disrupting Parliament. Unless people are empowered, corruption can never be eradicated.

Deendayal M. Lulla,

Mumbai

There is not a single party in the country which can claim to be “clean.” Each has its crop of elements whose antecedents need to be scrutinised. People need authentic information about every member in all parties.

S. Rajagopalan,

Chennai

In this zero-sum game of one-upmanship, every act of omission and commission on the part of the Congress is going to place the BJP at an advantage in confronting electoral challenges. Winning an election is one thing and proving itself to be a party with a real difference is quite another. The BJP would do well to give up its agenda of exclusivism and gain the confidence of the nation.

S. Balu,

Madurai

Despite a grim scenario of numerous scams and at the risk of appearing two-faced, the Congress leadership has projected a distinction between the party and its executive government, laying stress on the need to fight the evil of corruption.

A distinction ought to be made at some point, by the BJP too between its party and parliamentary wing. BJP president Nitin Gadkari can take his party to a higher plane by advising his MPs to thrash out every issue on the floor of the House.

R. Narayanan,

Ghaziabad

The Congress' rejoinder to the BJP, asking it not to personalise the corruption issue does not carry conviction because corruption is a personal matter (“Mend your language, style of politics, Congress tells BJP,” Jan. 11).

T.R.Anandan,

Coimbatore

The Karnataka Assembly could not function because of the Opposition dharna (“Congress, JD(S) stall House,” Jan. 11), demanding a CBI probe into charges against the Chief Minister. Parliament could not function because the Opposition stalled its functioning. If this trend continues, it may spread to all legislative bodies. In fact, it amounts to a denial of the rights of citizens who elected the political class. The courts should take up the matter.

Jacob Sahayam,

Thiruvananthapuram