The present election scenario throws light on two special features. Firstly, small parties have started dictating terms in making alliances. And the hope is that there will be a hung Parliament and they can make the most out of it. Analysing the reason for such a situation, your editorial ‘Encouraging the fringe’, March 14, has pointed out that the anti-defection law of 1985 has given rise to such a situation. Further, there are many aspirants for the prime minister’s post from such parties. There are talks of a PM from Maharashtra, a PM from Karnataka, a PM from Andhra Pradesh and so on. We need a prime minister who has the confidence of the entire nation and can transform politics and raise it to greater heights. So, if one reform has brought such problems, why not bring another reform to restrict such splits — a minimum number of legislators needed for each party, for instance — so that we may basically evolve a two-party system?
A Jacob Sahayam, Thiruvananthapuram
