Sir — As wildfires ravaged California in the United States of America, people were forced to check into hotels as most could not be accommodated in evacuation centres while adhering to social distancing norms. In spite of precautionary measures, the state expects a spike in Covid-19 infections. With over 7,00,000 confirmed cases, California’s healthcare resources are already stretched thin. Unless there is substantial aid from the federal government and help from other states, it will be difficult to control the crisis.
Paramita Sarkar,
Calcutta
About time
Sir — It is heartening that seven chief ministers of Opposition-ruled states have demonstrated a keenness to put up a united fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre in a virtual meeting with the Congress interim chief, Sonia Gandhi (“Common vision”, Aug 28). The long list of complaints against the BJP include the unprecedented strain on the federal structure of the country, the toppling of elected governments in several states, the misuse of investigative agencies and the mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic among others. Thus, a united and strong Opposition is the need of the hour.
In January 2019, prior to the Lok Sabha elections, several key leaders of the Opposition, including Sharad Pawar, H.D. Deve Gowda, N. Chandrababu Naidu and Farooq Abdullah had come together for a massive rally in Calcutta organized by the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. While they are all strong leaders, it must also be remembered that they, too, have consistently failed to uphold the rule of law in their own states. In this hour of need, the Opposition parties must rise to the occasion. They should prepare a common vision document, take a clear and unequivocal position against archaic draconian laws, uphold the autonomy of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Reserve Bank of India and initiate police reforms. These leaders must rise above their individual political aspirations and place the interests of the people at the forefront. It is only then that the country can hope to come out of this predicament.
Jahar Saha,
Calcutta
Sir — The editorial, “Common vision” (Aug 28), rightly points out that the leaders of the parties in Opposition should have deliberated much earlier on the failures of the BJP-led government at the Centre. But it is better late than never. The meeting among the seven chief ministers along with Sonia Gandhi has provided the common people with a glimmer of hope that the BJP might finally be held accountable for its actions.
The lack of a strong oppositional voice in countering the Centre’s claims that Chinese troops have not infringed upon the territorial sovereignty of the nation in Ladakh is a cause for concern. This meeting has led to the belief that the Opposition parties will finally discharge their duties to the best of their abilities and uphold the democratic ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
Sumit Kumar Das,
Hooghly
