Date:26/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/26/stories/2005102602261001.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Assuming leadership

This refers to the editorial "Congress must take responsibility" (Oct. 25). The Congress should certainly stake its claim to Chief Ministership in Kashmir under the terms of the agreement reached with the People's Democratic Party earlier. There is a visible change in the ground situation of the Valley. This is because of improved India-Pakistan relations and the moderate political approach of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

A Congress Chief Minister can certainly keep up the momentum if he pursues the same policies. At the same time, the Congress will not gain substantially by installing its own nominee. The loss may be greater if the status quo is disturbed. I do hope the Congress leadership takes this into account. The party's stature will rise if it lets Mr. Sayeed continue.

Imtiaz Ahmad,
New Delhi

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The Congress should not shy away from assuming the mantle of leadership in the State. Installing Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chief Minister will also enable the party to keep its electoral promise.

M. Somasekhar Prasad,
Badvel, A.P.

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One would have thought that the Congress would have been waiting to install its Chief Minister. Instead, quite uncharacteristically, its leaders are debating the advisability of assuming leadership of the troubled State. There is evidently a hesitation to face the challenges in the Valley.

K. Vijayakumar,
Bangalore