Logo

Logo

Letters to the Editor

Trinamul govt symbolises failure of democracy SIR, ~ Apropos the editorial, “Onward to polls” (4 July), the elected representatives are…

Trinamul govt symbolises failure of democracy
SIR, ~ Apropos the editorial, “Onward to polls” (4 July), the elected representatives are expected to protect the basic rights of the people.  The Trinamul government has failed on this score. It is a politically-driven administration. It symbolizes the failure of democracy. It has insulted the people&’s mandate.
It is a virtual anarchy. The government is trying to muzzle the media. Rural governance can suffer if the panchayats are not elected on time. Given the circumstances, only the judiciary can act as the guardian-cum-protector of the people.    The Supreme Court has seen through the political conspiracy. Hence the ruling on the revision petition that the elections will be held during the Ramzan. Mira Pande, the State Election Commissioner, has led from the front. Mamata Banerjee should draw a lesson from her joust with the SEC.
yours, etc. uttam k bhowmik, tamluk, 4 july.
Constitutional certitudes
SIR, ~    This refers to your editorial, “Onward to polls” (4 July). You have rightly described the Supreme Court&’s verdict as a victory of  constitutional certitudes. The Trinamul counsel&’s claim ~ “it is a victory for the state government as ultimately the panchayat poll, which the State Election Commissioner had wanted to stop, will be held” ~ is a specious argument. There is no denying that the Supreme Court&’s order is a  rebuff for the state government which has been pulled up for “dilly-dallying” on the issue. The Supreme Court has upheld the primacy of the SEC in the conduct of elections, as enshrined in the Constitution. It has accepted the commission&’s contention that it would not be possible to hold peaceful elections in the prevailing circumstances as adequate security personnel were not available.  The court has increased the number of phases from three to five. The election will be held with the support of central forces. The state police has lost its neutrality; it functions as a stooge of the ruling party.
As per constitutional provisions, the panchayat election ought to have been completed before the expiry of the tenure of the existing boards. But the Mamata-led government unnecessarily stirred a controversy over primacy, the deployment of central forces and the number of phases. This has resulted in inordinate delay. The Supreme Court verdict has ended her dream to seize the power of the panchayats with handpicked administrators.
yours, etc., s s paul, chakdaha (nadia ), 4 july.
Defective chargesheet
SIR, ~ In another jolt to the ruling party, the fast-track judge of Barasat court has faulted the chargesheet submitted by the CID in the Kamduni rape and murder case. It appears that the CID, under instructions of its political masters, had framed the  chargesheet in a manner that would ensure an escape route for the main accused, said to be a brother of a local Trinamul leader. There was also an attempt to make Saiful an approver in the case. The fact that Calcutta High Court will monitor the investigation is an endorsement of the observations of the fast-track judge. Under the circumstances, only a CBI enquiry can nail the actual culprits. The ruling party cannot subvert the Constitution and the rule of law.
yours, etc., anil kumar choudhury, kalyani, 4 july.

Advertisement