M A I L B A G

Opportunistic politics in Karnataka

S NIHAL SINGH’s article “Opportunism, Karnataka style: Hopping parties for personal profit” (Oct 9) exposed the father-son act in Karnataka. One wonders, whether Mr H.D. Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal (Secular) has a secular character or opportunistic one. The so-called secular party first ditched the Congress and then shook hands with the BJP. It grabbed power and stuck to it.

Ironically, the JD (S) discovered the evils of the BJP only when the Chief Minister’s post was to be transferred to the BJP as per the 20: 20 agreement.The act of Mr Deve Gowda and his son, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy visualised that the Congress may have their sinking ship so that they can sweep the elections.

The time has now come to debate and enact a law that in case of the fall of a coalition government in a state, no election should be held and President’s rule should continue till the next general election. This will not only give rest to the MLAs to ponder upon their leaders’ deeds but also save the tax-payers’ money.

MUKAND LAL KAUSHIK, Chandigarh

II

The editorial “The only way: When cohabitation did not work in Karnataka” (Oct 10) exposes the filthy politics in Karnataka. The mid-term election in any state is a big burden on the people. The JD (S) has the lowest number of MLAs in the State Assembly, now under suspended animation -- 58 as against 79 by the BJP. Now instead of transfer of power to the BJP after 20 months, the father-son combination wants to stick to power.

Who shall be responsible for unnecessary and ultimately elections? The political parties should rise above narrow partisan ends and play healthy politics. It is shameful on the part of a person who had been the Prime Minister. His love for his son is shameful.

S.K. MITTAL, Panchkula

III

I agree with Mr Nihal Singh’s view that the Aya Ram, Gaya Ram-type of defections as practised in Haryana is now being followed by the father-son duo in Karnataka. In the light of these developments, we need to reconsider the future system of political governance.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

Sanawar record

I read Aditi Tandon’s write-up “Old boy relieves history he created at Lawrence School”. The then Principal of Lawrence Royal Military School, Sanawar, which became Lawrence School Sanawar, in 1950, was E.G. Carter and not T.C. Carter as mentioned. With due respect to my fellow old Sanawarain, Carter was Principal of Lawrence School Sanawar till 1954. I joined Sanawar in 1952 when Carter was the Principal. In 1954, the post of the Principal was abolished and he simply became the Headmaster.

My fellow senior Gurbans Jasinder Singh came first in the Hodsons Runs in 1949. In 1952, Ranjit Bhatia held the record in the open category, who later on became the “Rhodes Scholar”. My record under eleven stands to date.

Another misconception was that General Gulab Singh was the General at Jamrodh Fort in the North West Frontier Province with Sir Henry Lawrence. Since Gen Gulab Singh was the General of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Army, he could not have been the General during Sir Henry Lawrence’s time.

JASPAL SINGH MANN, Mohali

Dalhousie’s beauty

I endorse Rehana Sen’s view (Letters, Sep 6) that Dalhousie has become a sea of putrefying garbage, posing threat to the residents, tourists and the fragile ecosystem of the Dauladhar range of mountains.

Born and brought up in Dalhousie, I vividly remember how the late Penharo, Secretary, Municipal Committee, and Mehar Chand Mahajan, Senior Principal of Primary School, Dalhousie, had revolutionised the city’s environment by taking proper steps.

I had visited Dalhousie thrice - in the sixties, eighties and in 2002 - and every time I returned disappointed. I was shocked to see open garbage everywhere. Leaving aside Dalhousie, even world famous tourist spots like Khajjar, Panjpula and Sat Dhara were not spared due to mushrooming of eatable shops without proper maintenance. The Khajjar lake is shabby though we call it a mini-Switzerland. I appeal to the authorities to restore Dalhousie’s beauty.

Lt-Col SHIV DARSHAN AHLUWALIA (retd), Chandigarh