The article “Saffron’s diminishing returns” (April 1) is completely one-sided. If and when the BJP ascends to power using the rath yatra politics of L.K. Advani, what is wrong? Which political party has ever focussed on bread-and-butter issues? The Indian National Congress is a mere shadow of what it once stood for and every political dispensation, including the BJP, has accepted this anomaly. The UPA has proved to be a complete failure and people want change.
Araveeti Ramayogaiah,
Hyderabad
The report “Modi marches into Rajnath’s Team 2014” (April 1) confirms that party president Rajnath Singh has done a wonderful job. In a short time, he has managed things well. The fact that there has been no voice of dissent confirms this. That more than 70 per cent of his team is below 50 years of age is a welcome factor. Next to the Left, the BJP is the only cadre-based party. Several leaders have risen from the ranks and proved themselves. Mr. Singh should now ensure that the party works steadily and captures power. The nation faces serious problems in all areas, the economy in particular. Globalisation, and a market and Marxism-based economy have failed. The BJP should lay out its blueprint to address all the issues and approach the electorate on a positive note. There is no need to blame the UPA, which stands exposed.
N. Ramamurthy,
Chennai
The BJP’s obsession with Hindutva politics has not exactly reaped dividends for the party and its penchant for invoking Hindu nationalism is bound to fail again. The new team announced by Rajnath Singh is a clear indication of which way the party will go in the run up to the elections. It is disappointing that the party has chosen to tread the beaten track rather than focus on real issues of which there are plenty. Although it may not be palatable to the party, the choice of Mr. Modi to lead the campaign will have repercussions. That Mr. Rajnath Singh has been constrained to give an important position to Mr. Modi’s confidant Amit Shah is a sad commentary on ethics. As for the rabble-rousers, Uma Bharti and Varun Gandhi, the less said the better.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam
The new team for 2014 is reflective of the party’s weakness as well as its mind. By giving bigger roles to an infamous trio, Narendra Modi, Varun Gandhi and Amit Shah, and ignoring moderate faces like Jaswant Singh and Yaswant Sinha, the BJP has shown that it banks heavily on its Hindutva flank.
Dr. D.V.G. Sankararao,
Vizianagaram
Harbans Mukia’s article does not seem to realise that the BJP is just a rightist party, using Hindutva as its vote bank. As in the world’s old democracies, India will also come around to a two-party system, one left and the other right. While the leftist label is rightfully that of the CPI(M)’s, the BJP is trying to take advantage of the Congress dilemma that it cannot fully dilute its socialistic stand of the past. Unless the Congress firmly takes the rightist path, it will soon face disintegration.
Dr. Nandu Paruvakat,
Thiruvananthapuram
The Congress’s reaction to Modi’s inclusion in the BJP’s parliamentary board is amusing and betrays its hidden concern about the impact it would have on the party which has not been able to fulfil its mandate. The BJP is the only party with a large base which can be an alternative to the Congress. The Grand Old Party is in reverse gear.
S. Rajagopalan,
Chennai
Rajnath Singh has unwrapped the Team for 2014 but not without letting it be known that it has borne Narendra Modi’s imprint. Mr. Modi will now seal the party’s policies and decisions. But when will he learn to work as a team, in a setting larger and more diverse than that of Gujarat, instead of constantly casting himself in the role of conqueror? For India’s main opposition party, and for all those tracking the contours of 2014, the answers will start trickling in now.
J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad
