Prof. Akeel Bilgrami calls the last year as the “dark night of the soul” (“Dare we begin to hope?” June 2). I am surprised. Does he mean that the UPA’s tenure, replete with scams and crony capitalism, was a brighter era? In the past year, there has been no ministerial corruption, prices have stabilised and the economy is growing, among other things. AAP’s electoral success was at the cost of the Congress which could not gain a single seat. On the other hand, the BJP’s 33 per cent vote share has remained intact. The AAP phenomenon was a reaction to the scams of the UPA. The writer hopes for Opposition unity, which is a non-starter. The JD(U) has split. The RJD-JD(U)-SP merger has stalled before it can begin and the Congress is trying to effect a split to its advantage. The Left is willing to join hands with anybody. The BJD, the TMC, the TRS, the TDP and the AIADMK have all stayed away. This motley crowd is hoping to unite on the Land Bill. But is there any morality or ideology that binds them? The writer’s personal prejudices are stronger than his political analysis.
Nanditha Krishna,
Chennai
