February 19, 2007
 

Two Neros

I'm fairly sure Lalu Prasad Yadav and Shivraj Patil would hold two similar records: being in charge of the most number of train accidents and the most number of terrorist attacks on a per-day basis since independence. Does anyone have any stats on the number of train accidents and terrorist attacks since mid-2004?

There're very good political reasons why Lalu continues to be in power. I can't see any reason why Shivraj Patil, who should be honestly flattered if someone called him a political lightweight, continues to be in charge of such a critical ministry as the Home Ministry.

Between the two of them, they would have contributed to a significant spike in India's death rate between 2004 and now, despite the fact that the overall death rate has decreased from 8.38 per thousand to 8.18 per thousand (2004, 2005 & 2006).

For the sake of India, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Shivraj Patil must go. What we need, and deserve, is a Railway budget which deals strongly with security issues and clean trains & stations. Wi-fi/WiMax enabled trains can wait. What we need, and deserve, is a Home Minister who at least appears like he's in control, rather than the bumbling nervous wreck he seems to become after every terrorist attack.

Labels: lalu prasad yadav, railways, shivraj patil, terrorism