Letters to the Editor

Not a 'strongman'!

Veteran leader and former Defence Minister in rshima Rao government, Sharad Pawar, is often referred to as 'Maratha strongman' in Indian politics.

The title of 'Maratha strongman' was conferred to him by his own people in Marathwada region in Maharashtra, known as sugar hub of India. In 1999, after Sonia Gandhi was elevated as AICC president, Sharad Pawar quit the Congress and formed a separate party med NCP along with former Speaker PA Sangma. That move created quite a ripple in tiol political circles as NCP under Sharad Pawar was considered as an altertive in political fiefdom.

Soon the veteran leader betrayed his people and his colleagues by joining hands with the Congress and even dumped his trusted confidant PA Sangma, as NCP allied with Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.

Great Maratha warrior and ruler Chatrapati Shivaji is also known as Maratha strongman. But is it justified to compare an opportunistic person like Sharad Pawar with great Shivaji? Sharad Pawar's contributions cannot be compared to that of Shivaji as the veteran leader has always considered his persol benefits more important than the people's interest. In fact, it is an insult to compare a person like Sharad Pawar with Shivaji.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Ambari, Guwahati.

Modi's administrative magic

It is a dream to presume that Prime Minister rendra Modi has lost his charisma. Former US President Barak Obama had started his poll campaign in 2008 with the slogan "Yes, we can". He could not fulfill all his poll promises during his first term of presidency, but returned to power. In Germany, Turkey and other European tions, ruling parties have captured power a second time as the people have reposed faith in them.

This shows that a party cannot execute all its poll promises in a single term. Similarly, rendra Modi came to power with anti-corruption and transparency as his poll promises; the results are there for us to see. That demonetization and GST will turn the tide is wishful thinking.

Satish Kumar Sarma,

Kalyanpur, Biswath Chariali.