Obnoxious raids

The news item "CBI cracks down on Virbhadra" (September 27) came as a surprise because the time chosen for the act seems pure vendetta. When Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was solemnising the marriage of his daughter, the CBI swooped on his residence in Shimla and his houses outside HP. Despite this obnoxious intrusion, Virbhadra displayed remarkable poise. 

It reminds one of the succession wars of the Mughal period where undeserving claimants fought to kill for the throne. In the present context, it is killing of a different kind: of the character and reputation of a political adversary.

Neeraj K Sharma, Sundernagar

Impossible farm income

The agricultural income of Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh has been shown Rs 47 lakh in his IT returns. It swelled to Rs 6.5 crore in the revised returns. The biggest of orchardists in HP sells apples worth about Rs 60 lakh a year. How could he sell for so much for three consecutive years? The CM and Congress must gracefully let the law run its course. 

The seeds of the case were sown during the UPA regime. The CM, then Union Minister for Steel, had to resign. He should also resign now. A government servant is suspended during an inquiry to make sure he cannot influence the outcome. The law should be same for everybody. Raids are generally planned during functions when the person is least likely to obstruct and interfere.

Vidya Sagar Sharma, Shimla

Timing questionable

The raids conducted by the CBI at the residence of Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh are a reflection of vendetta politics. Earlier, the BJP accused the Congress-led UPA of using the CBI like a puppet. But now the BJP seems to be treading the same path. The timing of the raids is questionable. It was the wedding day of Virbhadra's daughter and guests were assembled. It was done intentionally to humiliate Virbhadra.

On the other hand, the BJP has given a clean chit to its Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in the Vyapam scam. It also did not take any action against CM Vasundhara Raje for having links with fugitive and tainted former IPL chief Lalit Modi. 

BALJEET S CHANNA, Anandpur Sahib

Vendetta politics 

The raids on the residences of six-time Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh by the CBI in a case of assets disproportionate to known sources of income is sheer vendetta politics played by the saffron party. The Modi-led dispensation should stay away from indulging in such political agenda to save it from public censure. 

RAMESH K DHIMAN, Chandigarh

Exemplary fortitude 

Although he has seen many testing times, the present one was of its own kind for the HP Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh who was about to leave for the venue of his daughter's marriage when CBI sleuths arrived at Holly Lodge to conduct a raid. Law and procedures would take their course, but what is appreciable about him is his dignified poise in the hour of difficulty. 

SANT SAHLANVI, Solan

OROP bogey a myth

The bogey of an unbearable financial burden for OROP payout repeatedly raised by certain influential people is a myth floated to show army veterans in poor light. If thousands of crores of rupees can be written off by public sector banks as NPAs (bad loans), mostly to big industrialists, crores worth of loan waivers doled out to farmers, huge amounts of losses of BSNL and some other public sector units written off and funds pumped into the loss-making Air India and Indian Airlines, why is so much fuss made about paying the legitimate dues of the veterans? 

The ruling elite have no qualms about heaping upon themselves benefits while in service and on retirement such as palatial houses, free/subsidised electricity and water, free travel for themselves, their families and hangers-on, medical facilities (even abroad) and transport and communication facilities, all at state expense. 

Have we ever figured out how much wealth is lost due to the bankruptcies of the rich and famous and money stashed abroad? Is there any account of assets amassed by the elite disproportionate to known sources of income? How much is wasted on foreign jaunts?

Brig BS Bedi (Retd), Dehradun

Pride not good

Apropos Harish Khare's article "Manufacturing a national consensus" (September 25), Narendra Modi's one-upmanship and propensity to wear so many hats are proving to be the undoing of our national security and foreign policy. It is easy to sign agreements with fanfare with other countries. But the devil is in the detail. Our adversaries will not take us seriously if we are unable to reach a consensus on issues. Charity must begin at home. Narendra Modi needs to resist the temptation of throwing the baby out with the water when it comes to his predecessors' ideas and views on bilateral relations. Pride goes before a fall.

HEMA, Langeri

Mere theatrics

National consensus is of no consequence when one is drunk with pride and does theatrics like touching the floor of Parliament when entering for the first time and thereafter keeping a stony silence there on burning issues. Modi's showmanship, selfies and self-promotions cannot replace diplomacy, delivery and development. He has established himself as the best political salesman at home and abroad with his huge election rallies and now the 29th foreign tour in 16 months, totaling three and a half months, at a cost of about Rs 200 crore. He is busy creating an aura of upright godly man and world leader through his marketing skill by demeaning past governments and politicians. It is unbecoming of any PM. His self-trumpeting reminds of a Punjabi saying: "Hoche jat katora labha, paani pee pee afria" (a petty farmer finds a goublet and overdrinks).

BM SINGH, Amritsar 

No dustbins

While the PM has launched the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' with fanfare, dustbins are not provided at the grassroot level, including panchayat and market areas in the hill region of Himachal Pradesh. The tourism industry would be hit if the same continues. Basic facilities for cleanliness should be provided so that the schemes are implemented. 

AYUSH SHARMA, Kullu

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