It’s the RSS that’s taking control over the BJP
Pankaj Vohra in Climate change in the BJP (Between Us, December 21) has rightly pointed out that the RSS has the final say in the workings of the BJP. It was the Sangh’s decision to appoint Nitin Gadkari as the BJP chief and oust L.K. Advani as leader of the Opposition, thereby yielding the position to Sushma Swaraj. This arrangement suits the RSS perfectly as Mohan Bhagwat remains the head with Advani and Gadkari filling up mere blanks in the party leadership without having much of a say in its workings. Only time will tell how this ‘climate change’ in the BJP turns out.
RL Pathak, Delhi
Railways should lay it bare
This refers to the report Mamata slams Lalu’s claims (December 19). It’s heartening to know that Mamata Banerjee has finally brought up the issue of surplus profits the railways made during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as railway minister. Mamata should order a thorough inquiry into the functioning of the railways during Lalu’s tenure. The reservation, cancellation and tatkal charges were unjustly raised when he served as the minister. Unless an inquiry is ordered into the issue, the amount of money that was pocketed by the then minister will remain a mystery.
Samir Mehta, Mumbai
Centre must stall price rise
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has revealed his true nature of being a shrewd politician by blaming the states, instead of his ministry, for the ongoing price rise (States job to control price rise, says Pawar, December 21). The Centre must give directions to the states to manage the prices through public distribution system. In this blame-game between the Centre and the states, it is the common man who takes the blow. The state governments and the Centre must take steps to make items of basic necessity available to the public at affordable prices.
Deepak Chikramane, via email