Opinion In the dock

Chavan claims he is the victim of a political conspiracy

The Indian Express

July 9, 2012 12:06 AM IST First published on: Jul 9, 2012 at 12:06 AM IST

In the dock

Three former chief ministers of Maharashtra have appeared before the Adarsh probe commission,and Ashok Chavan has been named in the FIR (CBI names ex-CM Chavan in Adarsh scam chargesheet,IE,July 5). Chavan now claims he is the victim of a political conspiracy a common defence for politicians who face criminal charges. It is not clear why the Maharashtra government should oppose the CBI probe at this stage,when the chargesheet has already been filed. The whole effort of the investigation would be a waste if the state governments plea,that the CBI has no jurisdiction over the matter,is accepted by the Bombay High Court.

Yash P. Verma,Pune

Buy your own car

This refers to Day after,Akhilesh drops cars-from-MLA-fund idea (IE,July 5). It is commendable that after a public outcry,Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav revised his decision to allow MLAs to spend as much as Rs 20 lakh on cars. These funds would have been drawn from the MLA Local Area Development Scheme. However,he should drop the very idea of providing vehicles to legislators at taxpayers cost,as suggested by opposition leaders. Before elections,the assets declared by MLAs and MLCs to the Election Commission establish that they are rich enough and own vehicles in their own name or in the name of their family members. Those who dont can seek bank loans as ordinary citizens do.

M.C. Joshi,Lucknow

Pressing a point

It is sad to hear that the media played spoilsport in the press conference jointly addressed by the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan by asking questions which were not on the agenda (Paper swords,IE,July 6). India and Pakistan have forged ahead in areas of commerce and cross-border trade and movement of civilians across the LoC. There is a visible,significant improvement in relations between the two countries. Bringing up high-stakes issues that will take a long time to resolve will lead us nowhere. The media must exercise restraint and not try to outsmart others by bringing in non-agenda items that disturb the hard-earned equilibrium with respect to peace in the region.

R.K. Kapoor,Faridabad

Aropos Paper swords,it is clear that Pakistans team comes to India after having been properly briefed by their army. India had decided that action must be taken against the terrorists of 26/11 before any talks. This stance was changed by our PM in the interest of regional peace. The Pakistani delegation remained in denial mode and denied all proof pertaining to active support lent by Pakistans state actors to terrorists like Abu Jundal. Media persons have to ask tough questions in order to unearth the truth,but they must refrain from using a tone or words that could embarrass visiting diplomats.

S.C. Vaid,Greater Noida