Governors should shun politics

Apropos of ‘Guvs have no discretion, are bound by the Cabinet advice: SC’; unfortunately, governance has become so politicised that the Supreme Court has to intervene in every matter, big or small. Now, the SC has ruled that governors don’t have discretion under Article 200 of the Constitution to withhold Bills passed by state Assemblies, and assent must be given on the advice of the Council of Ministers. In exceptional cases, Bills can be reserved for the consideration of the President. The court has rightly said that a Governor needs to act as a “friend, philosopher and guide” to the state. The Centre should ask governors to act as the state’s constitutional head and not as political advisers in the interests of transparency and for the public good.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar

SAD’s uphill journey

Reference to ‘Sukhbir at the helm’; the editorial incisively outlines the challenges facing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its chief. While Sukhbir Badal’s return signals consolidation of command, it hardly assures a revival of public trust. The purge of the clergy may bolster his control, but it risks further alienating the disillusioned Sikh electorate. His allegations against the Centre hint at estrangement from the BJP, but realpolitik may force a rethink before 2027. The real test is whether he can move beyond family dominance and initiate genuine reforms. Unless the SAD confronts its failures and reaches out to splinter groups with humility, a credible comeback will remain elusive.

Harbinder S Dhillon, una

New innings for Sukhbir

The editorial ‘Sukhbir at the helm’ rightly says that it’s a new innings for Sukhbir Badal after he underwent religious punishment and survived an assassination attempt. He needs to revitalise the SAD, which has been out of power for the past eight years and has witnessed erosion of its Sikh vote bank. He would have to work hard to win over disgruntled leaders. It is a golden chance for Sukhbir to assert his leadership and persuade breakaway factions to return to the party fold.

Subhash C Taneja, Gurugram

Robust India-US pact needed

The observation that a zero-tariff strategy is unlikely in the India-US trade pact is a timely reminder of the complexities in contemporary international trade negotiations. While eliminating tariffs entirely may seem ideal from a free-market standpoint, such expectations must be balanced with ground realities, especially for developing economies like India. India’s diverse and sensitive sectors, including agriculture and small-scale industries, require measured protection to ensure sustainable growth and social stability. At the same time, India and the US must continue building a mutually beneficial partnership through selective tariff relaxations, strategic market access and cooperation in technology, services and supply chain resilience. Constructive negotiations, based on shared interests and respect for domestic priorities, can still lead to a robust and forward-looking trade pact.

Rukma Sharma, Jalandhar

Bengal in turmoil

This refers to ‘Bengal burns’; it is unfortunate that West Bengal’s Murshidabad district has become a communal flashpoint. While over 150 arrests have been made in connection with the violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the fact remains that the mindless ‘burning’ of Bengal has become the norm. Residents of the state are being made to bear the brunt of politically motivated violence aimed at targeting the Centre. No wonder the Calcutta High Court had to order the deployment of Central forces to rein in the rowdy elements.

SK Gupta, by mail

Opportunistic alliance

The alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP in Tamil Nadu is opportunistic, to say the least. Both parties are like chalk and cheese in terms of their political ideologies; prima facie, the partnership seems untenable. The BJP does not hold sway over southern states. There’s no gainsaying that a tie-up with the saffron party will not improve the AIADMK’s electoral prospects. The latter would certainly have been better off had it zeroed in on projecting itself as a strong alternative to the ruling DMK rather than playing second fiddle to the BJP.

Aanya Singhal, Noida

Letters to the Editor