Nitish a chameleon

Refer to ‘Incorrigible Nitish’; the switching of political allegiances by Nitish Kumar has become so commonplace that it no longer surprises anyone. He has now become the Bihar CM for the ninth time after his fifth change of stance in a decade, with the BJP once again willing to support him. This is in contrast to Home Minister Amit Shah’s ‘firm’ statement that the NDA’s doors had been closed for Nitish when he parted ways with the BJP in 2022. In the current scenario, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee may find an opportunity to negotiate for a more significant role within INDIA. Such political manoeuvres come at the expense of the voters.

Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai

---

Reject political turncoats

Disregarding morality and public perception, Nitish Kumar has executed yet another somersault, aligning himself once again with the NDA. It is a well-known trait of politicians to articulate one thing and act differently, with public declarations often diverging from their actual intentions. Despite publicly stating that he is not a prime ministerial candidate, he has harboured aspirations for the top position. His discontent surfaced when Kharge’s name was proposed as the prime ministerial face of INDIA. As a seasoned politician, he recognises that voter dissatisfaction or resentment can be mitigated by making populist promises during elections. Until the public rejects such political turncoats, the practice of party-hopping is unlikely to be curbed.

Yoginder Singhal, Ladwa

---

Promote gender equality

Refer to ‘Nari Shakti’; the presence of women in the forefront during the 75th Republic Day celebrations marks an epochal moment in India’s history. It signifies the evolving narrative of a young India that is progressively welcoming active female participation across all spheres. The days when only a few professions were accessible to women are now a thing of the past. This is the beginning of an era where efforts are being made to acknowledge women’s contribution to the march of civilisation. Education plays a pivotal role in enhancing women’s involvement, and it is the collective responsibility of society, families and educational institutions to promote gender equality among the young generation.

Rupinder Kaur, Ambala Cantt

---

Women showcase prowess

Apropos of ‘Nari Shakti’; in our soul-debasing patriarchal system, women’s potential and versatile talent has long remained unexplored and untapped due to entrenched gender prejudices. During the Republic Day parade, a breathtaking display of women’s military prowess and remarkable feats, including impressive flypasts and military marches down the Kartavya Path, captivated the audience. Optimal utilisation of women’s capabilities for nation-building can only be achieved when their participation in the political sphere is significantly increased.

Roshan Lal Goel, ladwa

---

Restore order in Houses

Apropos of ‘Parl debates have been reduced to quarrels: VP’; the views expressed by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar should spur lawmakers to safeguard the sanctity of Parliament and uphold the dignity of democracy. The recent winter session of Parliament witnessed pandemonium and walkouts in both Houses. It underscores the urgent need for a collective commitment to restore order, decorum and respect during the parliamentary proceedings.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar

---

Financial accountability

Refer to ‘CAG-certified accountants to audit panchayats, local bodies’; the initiative to empanel certified accountants to audit local government bodies is a crucial step towards ensuring their financial accountability. Equally important is making the audit reports accessible to the public on the websites of local bodies. Transparency enables greater scrutiny and understanding of financial practices within these entities. Furthermore, it is imperative to establish a robust grievance redressal mechanism by the Comptroller and Auditor General to ensure that the empanelled accountants adhere to the prescribed norms.

Prateek Bansal, by mail

---

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: [email protected]

#Bihar #BJP #Nitish Kumar