Opinion Letters to the editor: Iron curtain

Iron curtain
Apropos of the editorial ‘Funny money’ (IE, April 1), the hypocrisy of political parties regarding probity in public life stands exposed again, given their reluctance to clearly declare and seek permission for foreign funding. First by keeping political parties out of the ambit of the Right to Information Act and now by refusing to come clean on their sources of funding, political parties are trying to insulate themselves from public scrutiny. This is why people are so suspicious of politicians and their intentions. The way in which dissenting civil society organisations have been harassed through FCRA provisions demonstrates that democracy is welcome in India only so long as it doesn’t question the established political class.
— Kiran Yadav
Etah

A solution
This refers to ‘The two-seat solution’ by Hippu Salk Kristle Nathan (IE, March 31). If a candidate contests from more than two constituencies and wins in both of them, he has to give up one seat. But the voters in the constituency that the winning candidate gives up may feel cheated. It is unfair to allow a candidate to contest from more than one constituency. However, if this system is allowed to continue, then the person with the second-highest number of votes should be allowed to represent the constituency that the winning candidate gives up. This will also help avoid the double expenditure of a by-election.
— Surinder Marwaha
New Delhi

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Course correction
This refers to ‘Colombo correction’ by C. Raja Mohan (IE, April 1). India’s course correction on Sri Lanka is late. Although, better late than never. It is a pity that the players for whom the Congress had put diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka at stake have deserted the beleaguered party. Its desperation to remain afloat was so compelling that the UPA did not want to see the foreign policy crisis it was creating during its term. While our domestic political bickering has put us on the back foot with several neighbours and kept some important proposals in limbo, China has continued to score brownie points with almost every nation, thus seriously putting our strategic interests at stake.
— Gaurav Gupta
New Delhi

Political vices
This refers to Niraja Gopal Jayal’s well-analysed ‘The AAP divided’ (IE, March 31). The first phase of the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party brought hope. There was the perception of an alternative to the entrenched, corrupt, personalised and arrogant political elite. However, as time goes on, it seems that the AAP’s politics is governed by elites as well. The AAP’s longevity depends on how long it can protect itself from the inherent vices of being a political party.
— Rukmana Meher
Mumbai