Letters to the Editor: Answers

Very recently by chance while watching a national English TV channel in the evening I came across a scene where I saw a very unruly mob jostling, abusing, pushing each other, indulging in a bout of fisticuffs using all filthy languages outside The Maharashtra Legislature Assembly. At first sight, I presumed that the mob involved in this free-for-all show were some trade union activists of BMC or cab drivers' association who were agitating in the streets for their so-called legitimate demands. But to my utter surprise and dismay, I came to know that the unruly mob involved in the street show were the members, MLAs of Maharashtra belonging to both factions of the Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP. My granddaughter sitting and watching the action-packed drama next to me was very thrilled and asked me, "Koka, are they fighting for our nation's independence"?

I had no answers.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati

Shocking exit

Forty-five years (since he joined in 1977) Congress veteran and former Union Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad quit Congress with a sharp jab at Rahul Gandhi, ripping into him for "childish behaviour", "glaring immaturity" and for letting a "coterie of inexperienced sycophants" run the party. I wonder, why could Azad not dare to say all that he has been complaining and alleging against Rahul Gandhi when he was active in the party. Should he forget - what he is today, what status and position that he has been holding in politics is because of Congress only?

People, who had even a bit of intellectual sense, already knew that Ghulam Nabi Azad, since the times he quit Jammu & Kashmir party's campaign committee' head position, (as he reportedly saw the move as a demotion), was on wait and watch mode, waiting for a right and an appropriate time slot to leave the Congress once for all. Just before the election in Jammu & Kashmir, Azad's exit triggered a series of resignations within the Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir. The party in Jammu & Kashmir was 'Azad-fied' and as there is no leader in Congress of his stature in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. But on the other side, the exodus of leaders like Azad from Congress will certainly weaken the Congress further at a time when the opposition needs to be united to fight the communal elements who are trying to establish supremacy in the country. This is the time when a strong opposition is the need of the hour. Ghulam Nabi Azad is already showing his Modi-loyalty and who knows, he might align himself with BJP, as like the former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee

Faridabad