This refers to “Kejriwal is not the only one” by Rasheeda Bhagat (March 4). What distinguishes Arvind Kejriwal from earlier crusaders against corruption is his apolitical past, clean personal record, initial association with Anna Hazare, academic virtuosity and, above all, suave exploitation of the electronic media.

However, the public has soaring expectations from leaders who seek to eliminate corruption. When they do not measure up to these, they are sent into oblivion, as VP Singh was.

So far, Kejriwal has been operating in the public domain as a parallel bureau of investigation levelling charges of dishonesty against the high and mighty. But people expect rulers to work within the democratic system, and Kejriwal failed here.

Also, corruption is not the only major issue. People want solutions for inflation, poverty and unemployment too. To what extent the slogan of corruption-free India will do so is open to question.

YG Chouksey

Pune

Jayaprakash Narayan who led the crusade against corruption in the late 1970s was instrumental in the formation of the Janata Party. The party assumed power raising high expectations.

Much to the dismay of JP, the Janata government fell due to infighting and the egos of its leaders. The defunct Janata Party now exists in the form of half-a-dozen persons --- or family-centric ‘dals’ in a few states.

The Aam Aadmi Party has been formed with the right intentions. But how long it can sustain itself is the question. The AAP’s biggest contribution to politics is that established parties have been put on notice and made to introspect on their policies and agendas.

When we speak about clean politics, the names of Rajaji, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Nath Pai, Ashok Mehta, Piloo Mody, Minoo Masani, JB Kripalani and K Kamaraj easily come to mind.

CG Kuriakose

Kothamangalam, Kerala

The middle class had a lot of hope and enthusiasm when Anna Hazaare began his crusade against corruption in high levels of government and supported his movement which had Kejriwal also in its programmes. But when the latter started toying with the idea of a political party to operationalise the movement, Hazaare was opposed to the idea.

Many who initially supported the movement had misgivings about the political party. The movement to secure support from people of all shades of opinion should have been made an all-India issue and people of all classes made to realise the need for a political struggle. The consequent effort would have led to the formation of a government with full majority, and benefits would have accrued.

TR Anandan

Coimbatore

Bold position

According to the Supreme Court, the freebies promised in poll manifestoes “shake the root of free and fair elections to a large degree”.

Although such practices cannot be labelled corrupt, I feel that promising freebies is definitely a form of corruption.The Election Commission must frame appropriate rules to check manipulative practices before the 2014 elections.

The tough stand taken by the President on issues such as the anti-graft ordinance must be lauded.He also rightly rejected the mercy petition of Ajmal Kasab and others involved in terrorism. His bold attitude must be followed by the government.

M Kumar

New Delhi

Right moves

The US succeeded in destroying the Soviet Union without shedding even a drop of the blood. It is feeling threatened by the Russian Federation, an umbrella of most of the nations of the erstwhile Soviet Union. It also wants to get back at Russia for giving asylum to Edward Snowden. Now, the US wants to destroy the Russian naval base in Ukraine without direct military action. Putin is right in protecting Russians in Crimea.

Deendayal M Lulla

Mumbai

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