Sir — This refers to the editorial, “No politics over water” (May 9). The spat between the Union Government and the Government of Uttar Pradesh was avoidable. At a time when the country is reeling under severe drought, planned co-ordination between the Government and the administrative machinery is indispensable.
The returning of the water train by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and the subsequent U-turn, by which, he later demanded a special relief package for the State, is an example of how cooperative federalism cannot work alongside politics.
To solve India’s many pressing problems, the Centre and the State Governments must coordinate. Significantly, non-partisan leadership — that puts public and national interest over other considerations — should dominate policymaking and implementation, if we are to emerge as a world power, in style as much as in substance.