The Indian Express -- Expressions

This page contains Editorial and Op-Ed articles

Wednesday, November 19 1997

Letters to the Editor

No reflection on policy

It is half a decade since the Fifty-second Constitution Amendment was first felt to be inadequate in handling political defections. The same period has seen the passing of an age of certainties in which true majoritarian rule prevailed, in the sense that the electorate gave the mandate to clearly defined political groupings which could be relied upon to retain their integrity and therefore, were in a position to implement their manifestoes. Political secessionism is now an institutionalised manoeuvre, concentrations of power and authority change overnight and minority governments are the order of the day.

When US tried a Puerto Rico on J&K

With the United States once again evincing interest in South Asian affairs, the visit of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to India and Pakistan assumes great significance. Since the Kashmir issue will be back on the frontburner, it is pertinent to comprehend why the American trouble shooters always deliberately attempt to keep the Kashmir imbroglio on the front pages. Hitherto confidential documents reveal that the summer of 1966 saw the US State Department orchestrating a campaign to test the waters in New Delhi for a fresh initiative on Kashmir.

Dynastic liability

Congress president Sitaram Kesri's equivocation on the Jain Commission report is a reflection of the party's inability to take a forthright stand on the issue. If the confusion in the party is anything to go by, the Congress has bitten off more than it can chew in trying to derive political mileage from this inconclusive report of dubious value.

No reflection on policy

When US tried a Puerto Rico on J&K

Dynastic liability

Caution