Since 1998, the country has been ruled by the National Democratic Alliance and the United Progressive Alliance, not by the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party. All alliances have been opportunistic and not based on principles. The country is indeed in a mood for change as asserted by Harish Khare in his article “Commandeering change” (October 10). In 1999, coalition compulsions forced the BJP to put aside the Hindutva agenda and it was good for the nation. The Left parties kept a check on UPA I in 2004. But in 2009, coalition dharma forced the Congress into silence on many issues and, as a result, the nation has reached a chaotic state. There was virtually no governance under UPA II. Stability means good governance, not clinging to power. Rahul Gandhi is elusive till date and Narendra Modi overreaching. Will people vote for a single party or coalition? Does any leader enjoy people’s all-round support? Will 2014 throw up a fractured verdict again, forcing the largest single party to dance to the tunes of opportunistic politicians? The scenario is complex, not restricted to Mr. Modi or Rahul alone.
A. Subbalakshmi,
Bangalore
The country wants a change. Youth are annoyed at the state of affairs. Both the major national parties are least worried about the welfare of the common man. Their primary objective is to win the next Lok Sabha election. People are fed up with the political class of all ideologies. ‘Modi versus Rahul’ slogan is in the air. Who will be the next Prime Minister is the big question that faces the country.
Param Dev Sharma,
Jaipur
We desperately yearned for stability between 1996 and 1998 when the country had four Prime Ministers. Thankfully, we had a stable government in 1999. But now the entire scenario is different. The UPA government has been ruling the country for almost 10 years. The country needs a change. Will the NDA solve our problems? Should we go with Mr. Modi, the controversial leader who says he will take the UPA agenda forward more effectively, or with Rahul, the outspoken?
M. Rahul Reddy,
Anantapur
The country faces an obvious choice between Mr. Modi and Rahul in the 2014 election. I am a student who belongs to the middle class and Mr. Modi is very popular among my age group. On the other hand, Rahul is immature in his statements and actions.
Apurv Bharti,
Ghazipur
