Topic started by Mani M. Manivannan (@ pc-193-178.corp.3com.com) on Thu Mar 2 17:57:43 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

In a Rediff news report http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/mar/02imran.htm M. I. Khan reports from Bhubaneswar that the next like Orissa Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Biju Janata Dal chief, does not speak Oriya! The story goes on to quote a former chief minister and senior Congress leader, Nandini Satpathy saying "If one remembers, veteran Congress leader from Tamil Nadu, the late Kamraj, without knowing to read and write Tamil, ran his state government successfully." I think Mr. Kamaraj did not complete primary school, but was he illiterate in Tamil too? Also, can a minister that does not speak the language of the people represent their interests?

Responses:

• From: sugrutha (@ 1cust216.tnt5.rahway.nj.da.uu.net) on: Thu Mar 2 21:44:19 EST 2000
  
  Well...ManivaNNan, it is democracy. We have to accept the people's verdict, dont we ? We have had Indirapriyadharshini being voted from Medak and Sonia from Bellary. I dont know how much Hindi, Ajit Chowdhry spoke when he was elected.
  
  But of course, these are issues that can be dealt with by the Legislative bodies, even the Election commission. (Remember the state EC requirement to own a toilet to contest panchayat elections in Karnataka ?). They proved their power by disqualifying Balasaheb from participating in elections.
  
  Like Vivekananda said, Spirituality cannot be contemplated on empty stomachs. Desperate people are looking for someone who can deliver. Like a scartched 78 rpm record (at the risk of repeating myself), I feel that it is for the educated and enlightened, to assess the far-reaching effects of such choices and influence the selection. As we know, the educated are all but queing up before the western consulates or are eagerly awaiting their next foreign jaunt in the private sector or the beurocracy.
  
  I dont know what Ms.Sathpathy is trying to acheive by pulling Kamaraj's name into this issue ? It is uncalled for.
  
  The only solace that we Tamilians can take is that, we have, so far, not voted a non-Tamil speaking person to the state or centre. (I hope I am right)
  
  
• From: BUBBLE SORT (@ ) on: Sat Mar 20 21:48:35
  
  BUBBLE SORT
  
  

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