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THIS refers to Mr Hari Jaisingh’s article, “Perils of coalition politics” (April 16). The feverish excitement on the confidence motion debate reflects the bankruptcy of ideology and commitment, and the politicians, unending lust for power. In their game of manipulation and destabilisation, politicians thrive on their nuisance value. The talk of a “viable coalition” has little to do with national security and development, as every move is inspired by the hope of personal prosperity through power.

Whatever the opinion of political analysis, from the common man’s viewpoint, coalition politics has not only failed but has also done an extensive damage to our politico-administrative system. After three successive coalition failures, we have a fragile economy and the law and order is at its lowest ebb.

CITIZENS’ WORRIES: The article echoes the thoughts and worries of the common Indian citizen who, unlike most politicians, feels truly concerned about the stability, sovereignty and welfare of the country. The dirty game-plans of our politicians are no less exciting than one-day cricket internationals where the rise and fall of a government is decided by the margin of a single vote as if it is equivalent to one run. The difference is that unlike cricket, the excitement of politics brings frustration along with it. How sad that the one vote that caused the fall of the Vajpayee ministry was a “conscience vote”!

What kind of a political system is it what kind of democracy is it where single-MP parties are holding ministries and dictating terms, where “jokers” make the house laugh through their cryptic remarks and feel that their success lies in this only, where the “vish-kanyas” play pranks and throw the country in political turmoil at their will, and where honest and upright leaders are given a damn and moved out by a margin of one vote, where the largest party is made to sit in opposition?

During the past three years we have experienced four governments, each working on an ad hoc basis not knowing whether tomorrow belong to it or not. It is time the President declared a mid-term poll with a clear ruling to have such pre-poll alliances as no party shall be entitled to break after the elections. If any party breaks a pre-poll alliance after the elections, its MPs should be disqualified.

NAKED BLACKMAIL: It has been rightly observed that the nation's vital affairs cannot be run by a naked resort to blackmail politics. Every partner in the coalition should conduct himself with responsibility. Had Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee played his cards well and refused to placate Ms Jayalalitha, the situation prevailing today would not have arisen. As a matter of fact, Ms Jayalalitha was given long ropes, and she chose to make demands after demands.

Police performance

Presiding over a district-level seminar on security measures and traffic education at Hamirpur the other day, Mr T.R. Mahajan, Director-General of Police (DGP), Himachal Pradesh, is reported to have said that the main aim of the exercise in question was to help people create an environment of brotherhood and security and, for that matter, efforts would be made to encourage frequent interaction between the police and the people at various levels so that both worked in unison for better results.

Well, the objective is good so far as it goes. However, to my mind, it would remain a far cry unless the police makes all-out efforts to improve its performance and image and thus win public confidence.

Sadly but incontrovertibly, the public image of the police at the moment is woefully poor. So much so that the law-abiding citizen, howsoever aggrieved, prefers to suffer in silence rather than seek police help in the matter. Anti-social elements, of course, have a merry time.

Pertinently, designed by our alien rulers as an instrument for keeping the people under constant subjugation, the police acted as a ruthless engine of oppression/repression during the accursed rule. In free and democratic India the police is required to play a radically different role. In fact, the police must be "people-friendly", acting as a friend and guide of the public at large. Is the police performing this role?

It must be noted that the Station House Officer (SHO) is the kingpin of the police set-up. He can make or mar the image of the police as he comes into direct public contact the most. Thus utmost care and caution needs to be exercised while selecting officers to man police stations. Above all, a radical re-orientation in the mental outlook of the police seems imperative, failing which the objective would remain elusive as ever before.

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

Politics is too much with us in India. So is cricket. And there is so much similarity between the precept and practice of the two.

In cricket, however, excellent the batsman may be performing in the field, the other team and the bowlers must bowl him out by whatever means they can: by throwing a bouncer, spin bowling, fast or slow ball. In politics, too, however, excellent the government may be the Opposition must all the while strain every nerve and pull every muscle to vote the government out through split, defection, allurement or manipulation.

As mentioned in the news-item "Accolades pour in for Soz" (April 19), the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, greeted the National Conference MP on the telephone for defying the party whip by voting against the motion of confidence.

Would she have hailed the action of a Congress MP in case he had similarly defied the party whip in the Lok Sabha? Certainly not. Disciplinary action would have been initiated against him.

The National Conference relied on Professor Soz, but he played it false. The party has expelled him for violating its decision. He said that he voted in accordance with the voice of his conscience. If he really follows the promptings of his conscience, he should resign the seat won by him on the party ticket and contest an election from the Baramula constituency afresh.

The present plight of the country is a matter of concern. The common man feels as if only God is running this country and the so-called leaders are busy fighting like hungry foxes.

I am reminded of George Bernard Shaw's play “Doctors Dilemma", where the poor patient writhes in pain in the operation theatre and all the doctors are in a fix about the diagnosis. The poor patient eventually dies and the crafty doctors do nothing for him.

For the past many days representatives of the people of the country have been only conspiring and indulging in intrigue, leaving the country in a state of mess. Nobody bothers about the law and order situation, the economy, development, the price ratio and public welfare.

Is this land of the Mahatma? Is it what is expected of a socialist state? Is there no right-thinking person who can tame these self-seeking leaders?

	M A I L B A G	Friday, April 23, 1999
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