Uma Bharati's rantings against the BJP speak of her frustration at being denied the Madhya Pradesh chief minister's post (Party with a difference, December 30). If she had been made chief minister once again, she would have found no problems with the saffron party. After all, she's taken part in everything that she has been criticising lately. Why didn't she mention ideological problems with the BJP earlier if she really meant it? Politicians move in and out of a political outfit as it suits them.
R.J. Khurana, Bhopal
Hijacking the issue
Brahma Chellaney's article A bleeding shame (December 31) is far-fetched and an unsubstantiated accusation. Chellaney harbours utter distaste for the BJP and its leaders, particularly A.B. Vajpayee. He has the liberty to hold his views but he should not get carried away. There was no mention of the complete failure of the Congress-led central and Karnataka governments to provide security at the IISc despite specific tip-offs in advance.
Proloy Bagchi, Bhopal
Booker's prize
Khushwant Singh's article Paved with riches (December 31) made fine reading for a bibliophile. I also share the same feelings. One of the rarest collections I possess is the six-volume travelogue, The World of Today. It is a survey of lands and peoples. It contains a treasure of information about the world. I got it from a pavement vendor.
I congratulate the Sardarji. My praise also goes to Ela Bhatt and Sewa for their commendable work. It will please all book-lovers.
{{/usCountry}}I congratulate the Sardarji. My praise also goes to Ela Bhatt and Sewa for their commendable work. It will please all book-lovers.
{{/usCountry}}Akavoor Narayanan, Delhi
No fear of law
The burning of a family of six is another incident that shows the absence of fear of law in Bihar (Six charred over feud in Bihar, January 2). The high-handed police, nexus between politicians and criminals, misuse of power and absence of law and order are the reasons behind this.
B. Vinoth Raj, Delhi
Devoted contribution
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee-L.K. Advani duo rightly deserves the credit for bringing the BJP to bloom (Tired or retired?, December 31). But who would have imagined that in the party's silver jubilee year, both would have virtually retired from active politics.
Shridhar Pant, via e-mail