Date:10/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/10/stories/2007111055531201.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Karnataka politics

With the Union Cabinet giving the green signal to revoke President’s Rule in Karnataka, the stage has been set for the installation of the first-ever BJP-led coalition in the State. With the decks now cleared for a new government, it is hoped that the BJP and the JD(S) will get down to the business of governance and live up to the people’s expectations.

B.H. Shanmukhappa,

Davanagere

* * *

The political imbroglio in Karnataka is drawing to a close with the revocation of President’s Rule and the Governor inviting the BJP to form a government — the first-ever BJP government in a southern State. Hardly a month ago, the JD(S) and the BJP accused each other, with the JD(S) charging the sangh parivar of turning Karnataka into a Hindutva laboratory and the BJP saying the JD(S) had betrayed it. Well, there are no permanent friends and foes in politics. One hopes that the new government will complete the rest of the term and pursue pro-people policies.

R. Thirumalai Muthu,

Kallidaikurichi

* * *

That the Union government realised the folly of dissolving the State Assembly and ordering fresh elections is heartening. The lesson that anything contrary to the spirit of the Constitution will be struck down by courts has been learnt. Gone are the days when non-Congress governments were indiscriminately dismissed by making use of the office of Governor.

A. Srikantaiah,

Bangalore

* * *

The losers are the people of Karnataka who are forced to suffer a government foisted on them by political skulduggery.

Article 356 of the Constitution should be scrapped and all the States brought on a par with the Centre so that election remains the only way out of instability. Or a provision should be made for the recall of the elected representatives by voters.

M.K.B. Nambiar,

Mahe