Why the voter votes

In my opinion, the writer has misread the minds and aspirations of voters ( >Voters need a good enemy , Feb.9). It is facile to say that voters intend to outvote a particular party in preference to electing a stable and efficient government. Going by the analysis of the writer, the pertinent inference drawn is that for voters, the elections are nothing but a form of spectator sport where people vote to see their “adversary” government defeated by a best possible candidate. This is an oversimplified depiction, rather, a distorted reality. Voters vote over critical issues such as water, electricity, food, health, education, employment, social security and justice. Whosoever promises them or delivers to citizens these basic amenities gets their preference. In a country like India with enormous socio-economic inequalities and injustice, voting is the most powerful instrument available to citizens to exercise their political powers and choose a responsive, sensitive, transparent and an accountable government.

Anoop Suri,

New Delhi

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The time has come for Mr. Modi to choose one agenda — that of growth. Unlike Indira Gandhi, who was not averse to splitting the Congress and who opted for an unambiguous agenda, Mr. Modi is not competent enough to play a political gamble. He cannot portray progress, to use the words of the writer, as “a good enemy”, nor will his association with the right wing allow him to portray the right-wing agenda as “a good enemy”. This appears to be the only reason behind his deafening silence.

Also, as the writer points out, the negative wave against a government does play a role.

Rajeev Joshi,

Neral, Maharashtra