Curious case

This is with reference to “BJP stitches alliance with 5 parties in Tamil Nadu” (March 21). It is interesting to see how parties that had ostracised the BJP all these years are now enthusiastically making pre-poll alliances with it to fights the coming election. This augurs well for it. On the contrary, the Congress which had made various permutations and combinations with fringe groups on earlier occasions, is now in a position where even senior leaders are reluctant to contest for fear of defeat.

Good parliamentarians, irrespective of their party affiliations, are an asset to the nation. They should be allowed to get elected unopposed.

HP Murali

Bangalore

Long-term view

This refers to the article “The RBI should look beyond short term” by SS Tarapore (March 21).

Acknowledging the possible disproportionate burden on the monetary policy the ‘election season’ may cast, the writer has tried to lighten the task of Raghuram Rajan by putting together his thoughts on the statement the RBI governor is expected to make on April 1.

Tarapore’s advice to the RBI is to conduct its monetary policy unfettered by any thought about the polls.

The need for policy continuity is emphasised by endorsing the stress on CPI (and not WPI), suggesting maintenance of nominal dollar-rupee exchange rate at $1=₹61-63 by appropriate measures, calling for caution on tinkering with policy rates in the context of recent positive signals, and a strong warning against the RBI being party, directly or indirectly, to the window dressing of banks’ balance sheets.

MG Warrier

Thiruvananthapuram

Zest for life

To say that Khushwant Singh had a real lust for life is to repeat a well-known fact. Despite his irreverent attitude to terrestrial life, his name was always mentioned in almost reverential tones. With more honesty and less hypocrisy in his disposition, he shunned ‘respectability’. The Sardar was a versatile polymath. He was a columnist, an editor, a scholar, a historian, a novelist and a Falstaff-like jester all rolled into one. He wore all these hats with distinction. His columns penned in lucid style were savoured for his unique brand of humour. What he wrote has enriched our lives.

G David Milton

Maruthancode, Kerala

We need more

In connection with “No need for another stock exchange”by Lokeshwarri SK (March 20), I think more than just another exchange, what is required is an exchange that offers something different — in terms of innovative products, market penetration, and wider reach. MCX-SX had nothing new to offer, not even liquidity, why would investors flock to it?

Aashish

online

SEBI was right in giving permission for MCX-SX for the good reasons mentioned in the article. Surely, there should be more competition as NSE is becoming more monopolistic.

The NSE should also reduce transaction charges and data vending charges. It is high time NSE reviewed the salary structure of their top brass which is exceptionally high; a body such as the SEBI should control or approve them, just as the RBI supervises banks. Ultimately it is the public (traders and investors) that pays for them.

Sundararaman

online

Sociopaths all

There are sociopaths in all areas of human activity, not just in politics (“Politics and the sociopath” by Amit Varma, BL ink , March 15). It is just that politicians are covered extensively by the media.

Go and observe the working in any organisation, you will find sociopaths; it is natural. Some of them don’t get noticed because they get no publicity . Everyone is a sociopath, only the degree and colour varies; it is hidden and in many cases is unable to break free.

Tejkumar

online

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