Sunday letters

With reference to Karan Thapar's article The general's tragedy (Sunday Sentiments, May 27), comparing General VK Singh to the Greek tragic hero is not appropriate.

The general's not leading by example
With reference to Karan Thapar's article The general's tragedy (Sunday Sentiments, May 27), comparing General VK Singh to the Greek tragic hero is not appropriate. Hamartia, which leads to the fall of the hero in Greek tragedy, is a single error of judgement. In General Singh's case, it amounted to a series of conscious decisions taken one after the other. There does not seem to have been a fall in his status either, with various organisations eager that he should join them.
MK Sharma, via email

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The guiding principle of a soldier's life is 'not to reason why'. General Singh has erred on that count and set a bad example for fellow officers.
TN Khanna, Lucknow

Parts don't add up to the whole
The article And three is a crowd (Chanakya, May 27) correctly states that the third front may never materialise given that none of its supposed constituents are willing to play second fiddle. J Jayalalithaa and Nitish Kumar have dealt with national issues in a balanced and mature manner while delivering good governance in their respective states. Mamata Banerjee, though erratic, looks unlikely to leave the UPA. The UPA has also got a fresh lease of life, evident from the presence of Mulayam Singh Yadav in its third anniversary celebrations. Unless Yadav wants to lead with support from the Left parties, there is no hope for the third front.
Siri Wasan, Noida

Didi's crying wolf too often
This refers to Manas Chakrabarty's article A deep, dark plot (Loose Canon, May 27). West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has already cut a sorry figure by cultivating a habit of alleging a conspiracy hatched by the CPI(M), no matter what the grounds of her grievance. If there are substantial documents in her possession about a threat to her life, she should share that with the central government. Else, all this bluster will be treated as an effort at sensationalism.
Uttam K Bhowmik, via email

Hard times for soft targets
The views expressed by Gaurav Choudhury in Prepare to tighten the pursestrings (The Big Story, May 27) are correct. The worst sufferers are, of course, the poor who are hardest hit by the rise in prices of edible oil, vegetables and milk. The government's failure to check inflation means that the common man will have to cut down on necessities.
GK Arora, Delhi

Root out the root cause
This refers to Harinder Baweja'a article 13 days in captivity (360 degree, May 27). The government fails to understand why people are attracted to the Naxalite movement. Successive welfare schemes launched fail to touch those they are meant for. As long as we are unable to ensure equal distribution of opportunities, feelings of disaffection will persist.
Man Mohan Bhatia, Delhi

Stick to the tried and tested
With reference to Khushwant Singh's write-up Presidential form of government: cure for corruption? (With malice towards one and all, May 27), we need good governance more than a change in the way we are governed.
MM Goel, Kurukshetra

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