The elevation of Narendra Modi as chairman of the BJP’s election campaign committee at its national executive should end the criticism of the party by the Congress and the media that it is beset with “internal differences.” Unlike in the Congress, there is internal democracy in the BJP.
A. Srikantaiah,
Bangalore
Mr. Modi is undoubtedly a charismatic leader and should be in a position to head the BJP at some point of time. But the question is: has the time come? He is yet to gain acceptability at the national level, and there are discordant voices within the party itself over his being projected as the prime ministerial candidate. He should wait. The BJP should choose L.K. Advani or Sushma Swaraj as its prime ministerial candidate.
Jayaprakash Kallurkatte,
Mysore
If Mr. Advani does not read the writing on the wall, he will go down in the history of the BJP as one devoid of foresight — responsible for his party losing a golden opportunity.
K.C. Mehta,
Vadodara
The BJP has succumbed to the NaMo mania — mindless of the adverse effect it will have on its NDA partners — pretending to be unaware of the anti-Modi feeling that is still prevalent. The party may have to pay a heavy price in the 2014 election. It looks like the extremists in the party have taken over, sidelining the moderates.
Seshagiri Row Karry,
Hyderabad
It is a known fact that Mr. Modi cannot escape responsibility for the Gujarat riots which took place under his watch. Even if the BJP is banking on his performance in the State in the last 10 years, it should be reminded that politics is not just about power and numbers but also about deciding development goals and achieving them.
On this front too, Mr. Modi seems to be lacking given the poverty of farmers, lop-sided goals, child malnourishment, etc.
Praween Prakash,
New Delhi
A sulking Mr. Advani has made his displeasure against Mr. Modi’s projection as the prime ministerial candidate known. He should understand that 2013 is not 1985. While he wielded considerable power in the 1980s, the cadres now see Mr. Modi as their leader.
But the real question is: can the country afford to have the BJP at the helm? The economic agenda of both the Congress and the BJP remains the same. But the Hindutva agenda, which has been on the back burner for quite sometime, will return to haunt the nation again if the BJP is voted to power. The Congress has lost its credibility. The BJP is trying to fill the gap by projecting Mr. Modi. Regional parties should come together and evolve an alternative agenda for the nation.
K. Baskar,
Chennai
