This refers to your edit “The political freelancer” (June 28). It is amply clear that small political parties are nothing more than the personal fiefdoms of their leaders. Most of these parties do not stand for any clear political ideology. So, in effect, they play the role of pressure groups to extract benefits from the government of the day. It may, therefore, be time to revisit, not just the anti-defection law, but also the role of a party whip in enforcing discipline.
Kishor Kulkarni Mumbai
...and unholy alliances
You have rightly asserted that coalitions in India are based on personal considerations and not on ideologies or policies. The United Progressive Alliance-II is a testament to this fact. Of what value, then, are our MPs and MLAs’ votes? We need stronger anti-defection laws, and electoral reforms to ensure that elections are fought on policies and programmes and not on money, power or freebies. Perhaps a ministry to monitor and regulate political parties, and ensure inner party democracy, transparent funding and so on could be set up to stop the rot.
N Ramamurthy Chennai
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number