Date:09/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/09/stories/2005050902891004.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Stalling Parliament

It is annoying that the NDA has chosen to extend its boycott of Parliament until May 13, when the budget session ends. Although the reason for the boycott is said to be the Railway Minister's failure to resign following the framing of charges against him in the fodder scam case, one feels that the NDA MPs lack the courage to face the ruling party over the allegations against Justice Phukan.

Ganesh Sovani,
Thane, Maharashtra

From the beginning, the NDA has adopted a confrontationist approach towards the Government, stalling Parliament on the flimsiest of reasons. We elect people to Parliament to engage in meaningful debate, not to disrupt or boycott it. Such tactics will not take the NDA far.

D.B.N. Murthy,
Bangalore

For the healthy functioning of democracy, the BJP should end its boycott of Parliament and work as a responsible Opposition party.

T. Ramaswamy,
Chennai

Parliament, where our elected representatives should engage in meaningful debates on important issues, has become non-functional today thanks to the stalemate between the ruling alliance and the BJP-led Opposition. This is an ominous sign.

V. Rajesh,
Mumbai

It is sad that the ongoing tussle between the UPA and the NDA has overshadowed all important matters. No productive discussion has been held since the passing of the Finance Bill.

Mahesh Ramanathan,
Neyveli, T.N.

The NDA is setting a bad example for an Opposition group. A problem should be resolved through discussion in Parliament, not by boycotting it altogether.

Amol Saghar,
New Delhi

Now that the TDP has shown the way, the rest of the NDA partners should end their boycott of Parliament. Not participating in policy-making will only hurt them in the long run.

Jyoti Swaroop,
Patna

Skeletons have started tumbling out of the NDA Government's cupboard. The UPA Government will be failing in its duty if it does not order time-bound inquiries into the cases concerned and bring the guilty to book.

M.K. Bajaj,
Chandigarh