Replies from Prabhu Chawla

Want to ask Prabhu Chawla, Editorial Director of The New Indian Express, a question? Click here

  • Q: Advani is complaining about inaction by BJP top brass in Karnataka in BSY matter, which resulted in the debacle. He is credited to have prevented Atalji from taking stern action against Modi in 2002. I feel he is taking undue advantage of his seniority much to the disadvantage of Rajnath. Your comments please.
    A: For a change, Advani is absolutely correct. Rajnath wasn't in the picture. It was Gadkari and other central leaders from Delhi who messed up Karnataka BJP. They are rootless and were influenced by extraneous factors in helping Yeddy to grab power first and then allowed to play havoc with the system.
    Velamur
    Dallas, Tx, 18-05-2013
  • Q: Basing on current scenario which Govt (NDA, UPA or 3rd Front) you see at the Center in 2014? How many seats (minimum number) Congress needs to come back to power and how many BJP requires realistically to have a chance of regaining back power? If Narendra Modi has to become PM, what is the safe number for BJP for him to lead a NDA govt?
    A: I can't predict the colour of the next government. But Congress would need minimum of 150 seats to regain power. On the other hand the BJP will have to grab over 175 seats to get more allies on its side. Let the BJP get that number first. Modi will be a candidate only if the BJP wins 200 seats.
    Abhinav Katyal
    Panipat, Haryana, 18-05-2013
  • Q: Is there a provision in the Indian legal system to let the disputing parties have a 'out of court' settlement? This in a way gives rise to an informal court of law run by powerful individuals forcing individuals to compromise than knocking the doors of court. The recent event of state intelligence officials acting as bodyguards to Ram Charan Teja brutally roughing up a young software developer on the roads of Hyderabad is a matter of grave concern. Please clarify if either courts or any other govt. body can initiate legal proceedings although no complaint was lodged by the victim because of fear of backlash from powerful Ram Charan Teja's family.
    A: We can't expect any criminal action against any person unless the victim files an official complaint. It is done in case of murder and other heinous crimes in which state becomes the party against the alleged criminal. Otherwise, out of court settlement is quite prevalent in minor cases.
    Samudra
    UK, 18-05-2013
  • Q: The price of TNIE varies from Rs 2.50 or Rs 3.50 etc for different edition. Since the last 2 years 50 paise coins are not much in circulation as the vendors round off the price of every item without the fraction. Hence I suggest that TNIE increase the price to Rs 3 , Rs 4 , Rs 5 for different editions as the readers lose 50 paise to hawkers in many cities . TNIE can pass the benefit to readers by increased contents, more colour pages or TNIE itself can minimise losses.
    A: Good idea. I will forward it to the right persons.
    Sundar
    Chennai, 18-05-2013
  • Q: At last the inevitable happened. Bansal and Ashwani has been shown the doors. Don't you think the Congress should be put in the dock for their arrogance of refusing to heed to opposition demand for sacking the corrupt ministers, which resulted in non-functioning of the Parliament and finally doing the same after incurring the huge loss?
    A: Only voters can put any party in the dock. Let us wait for 2014 elections and see whether Indian voters agree with your opinion.
    Anil Kumar Sharma
    Chandigarh, 18-05-2013

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