This is in direct reference to your front page news item under the title "Nandimithra pole vaults to U.P.F.A." in your esteemed journal on 19-08.08. This may disturb a discerning reader who has a liking for the pole vault, a thrilling and exciting event in athletics.

Pole vault is undeniably a fascinating and spectacular field event in athletics, the performance of which by any athlete is certainly a treat to watch. Also being an event not so easy to perform, unlike many other field events in athletics, it needs immense dedication and much training.

An athlete successfully clearing the bar in a pole vault event is cheered and applauded by the supporters and the fans of the team to which he belongs and not by those in the opposite side as in the field of politics, where the ‘cross-over’ character is condemned and cursed by the party to which he once belonged, whereas he is warmly welcomed and embraced by those in the party to which he defects.

Considering the many political defections we have witnessed in the recent past, it is clearly evident that some sort of enticement plays a major role in making politicians defect to the opposing camp.

Under such circumstances, political defections cannot in any way be termed as ‘pole vaulting’. The best possible way it should be explained is to say that they are ‘fished out’ or ‘netted’ by the opposing faction.

Thus using such a fascinating and glorious sport event to describe such unholy defections is nothing but bringing a great sport event into utter disrepute and condemnation.

In this context, some would say the word ‘somersault’ is better. Still better would be the term ‘unethical conversion’.