This refers to your editorial ‘The chameleon’ (July 28). Nitish Kumar’s decision to side with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for retaining power and for fulfilling his own personal interests has taken one aback. He took the right decision to resign over the corruption issue involving Tejaswi Yadav. But he surprised everyone by joining the BJP against his principles, after giving a clarion call for Sangh-mukt Bharat.
Nitish strongly defended his latest decision in the interest of the people of Bihar, but instead of joining hands with the BJP, he should have advised the Governor to dissolve the Assembly and call for mid-term election. That would have enhanced his clean image and his secular credentials.
His act of treachery will hit the sentiments of the minorities and backward classes, as they voted Kumar back to power on the ground of his honesty, while also accepting him as a secular leader. His decision has also greatly surprised Sharad Yadav, JD(U) president and some JD(U) MPs, who termed the decision as Nitish’s own.
Jayant Mukherjee
Kolkata
Mixed bag
The Bihar happenings have both good and not-so-good sides. That Nitish resigned following allegations of corruption against the Deputy CM and the son of Lalu Prasad is a good step worthy of appreciation. But joining hands with the BJP, a party he found fault with earlier, within such a short period, reveals a tendency to seek power.
TR Anandan
Coimbatore
Good governance
Nitish did not have any other option but to ditch the alliance with a tainted partner, whose whole family is under scrutiny now. Moreover, both he and Modi have always advocated governance sans corruption. He has a proven record of clean governance with the BJP for eight years, which should come handy now.
Bal Govind
Noida
Tactical move
The marriage of the BJP and the JD(U) marks the beginning of a new chapter and could see the realignment of political forces in Bihar. JD(U) national president Nitish’s gambit is seen by many political pundits as a strategic move ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls where the Modi wave may sweep the country again. Though the JD(U) stares at a split after aligning with the saffron party it should face no hurdles in winning the floor test along with the BJP and staving off the challenge posed by the rivals. The coming together of friends-turned-foes-turned-friends could translate into a win-win situation.
NJ Ravi Chander
Bengaluru
Confusing policies
It seems the Centre wants to ensure corruption-free and transparent governance. This is laudable. In its recent move to link employees’ Aadhaar number/name with provident fund, it is observed that there is corruption at the lower levels. Aadhaar card reflects the full name of the employees, whereas their PAN card and the PF list contain only the name and their initial/s. Hence, it necessitates a sure change in some of the records to make it uniform. Now, according to reliable sources, the officials who are effecting the change demand ₹100. Are these called service charges or palm greasing?
S Ramakrishnasayee
Ranipet
‘Rest’ and trust
The RBI has raised the ‘rest’ period for statutory central auditors (SCAs) of banks to six years. The grounds given in the RBI circular are suggestive of unethical practices being followed by professionals and banks in tandem. The only option left is strict self-regulation. The institute of CAs, RBI and banks should expose unethical approaches by individual CA firms.
MG Warrier
Mumbai
Price woes
This refers to “Onions may bring tears, but tomatoes give acidity” (July 28). In the event of bumper growth of tomatoes, prices come plunge. Keeping in view the shortage of vegetables, prices soar and one has to shift to other ingredients like tamarind as an alternative to spruce up the taste.
HP Murali
Bengaluru
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