The turmoil in Tamil Nadu is being followed with great interest. O Paneerselvam was completely loyal to Jayalalithaa. Sasikala was a close confidante of Jayalalithaa. OPS has never had the opportunity to show his administrative talent; even in the last two months he could not do much because Sasikala’s been playing her cards cleverly. Sasikala has to establish among the public.

TSN Rao

Bheemavaram, Andhra Pradesh

The transformation of OPS from a reticent, pliant and obedient party worker to a rebel with a cause has cheered the rank and file of the AIADMK. He has now gained more acceptance and support among the cadres and the people of the State.

M Jeyaram

Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu

The sooner the AIADMK realises that ‘united we flourish, divided we perish’ the better it would be for them. The problem is within and not without. Sasikala has to wait till she is cleared by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case; besides, senior leaders are against her becoming chief minister since she has not completed five years continuously as a party member.

HP Murali

Bengaluru

The political goings-on in Tamil Nadu are evidence of the overbearing culture of patronage and sycophancy in the AIADMK. The people of the State face an uncertain political spectre: a seemingly untainted CM who had the respect and support of many in his party, including Jayalalithaa, to take over the reins following her hospital confinement, has now been dislodged by the party’s cult-worship only to be succeeded by a person who stands as the prime accused in a disproportionate assets case, the verdict of which is likely to be delivered very soon. Surely Tamil Nadu’s mature electorate does not deserve this state of affairs.

Aravind Sridhar

Bengaluru

Tough growing

With reference to the edit, ‘Status quo surprise’ (February 8), the Government is doing well to stick to fiscal discipline on committed lines. The level of CPI inflation stays modest. Thanks to demonetisation the strong inflow of retail deposits have brought down the cost of procuring funds and even with a cut in incremental lending rates, the demand for credit is surprisingly muted. And, with industries not looking for capacity building, a piquant situation has emerged affecting the growth considerably. Growth has to revive now and that can happen only if there is a revival of business confidence and sentiments.

A general feeling is that a revival of business sentiments can’t be taken for granted. Therefore the status quo on key policy rates should not come as a surprise; it makes sense. Those are the kind of complexities and uncertainties associated with the economy. Regulation itself is under test to keep the wheels of economy rolling.

Srinivasan Umashankar

Nagpur

The RBI deserves praise as it has ensured sufficient liquidity in the banking system to help banks reduce interest rates in the matter of housing, vehicles and loans to industrialists. However, it is a matter of concern that economic growth came down to 6.9 per cent in FY2016-17. It is also praiseworthy that the RBI has indicated the formation of a cyber security committee. But it is sad that senior citizens remain ignored in the matter of raising interest rates.. However, the present monetary policy appears to be growth-oriented.

Jayant Mukherjee

Kolkata

In poor taste

The Prime Minister has not exactly crowned himself with glory by taking a dig at Manmohan Singh saying he has perfected the art of bathing in a raincoat, alluding to the fact that there are no black marks despite the scams during the latter’s stint as PM. This is unbecoming of his position. By indulging in needless rhetoric, the Modi’s image has hit a new low. While the Congress has every reason to be peeved, Manmohan Singh has done well to maintain a dignified silence.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bengaluru

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