This refers to the report “Mulayam praises Atal Bihari for listening to Opposition leaders” (January 22). In these acrimonious times, when the cut-throat mindset is prevalent, a political leader praising his adversary sounds pleasantly bizarre.
Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh's praise of former Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee highlights the latter's political credentials on one hand, and also reflects on the former's statesmanship on the other. In fact, Mr Vajpayee has been one of the few Prime Ministers who is held in high esteem by most politicians, cutting across party lines.
listening to the Opposition and taking advice on matters of import, is in the national interest and, hence, a key element in a democracy. This practice must continue through every regime, irrespective of the divergence of opinion, for the sake of nation-building.