The Bihar verdict spells out many truths and opportunities (Editorial, Nov.21). Apart from reopening the fissures within the BJP, it also makes things even more difficult for the Modi government as an entity and its development plan given the relentless rise in food prices, meandering growth and a sluggish global economy.
The Opposition, in the form of the Congress, can make gains. Post-Bihar, the Congress can move on from its Bihar foothold and try a similar experiment of coalition in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Grafted shoots of the Congress can quietly flourish in more States and lift its fortunes substantially by 2019.
R. Narayanan,Ghaziabad
Two distinguishing features of the Bihar outcome are the outright rejection of the political discourse initiated by the BJP and the galaxy of political leaders who are opposed to the BJP’s policies and plans gathering before Nitish Kumar and attempting to define the future course of politics. All parties critical of Mr. Modi have to sacrifice sectional party interests if the aim is to form a cohesive group in 2019. Mr. Modi has three-and-a-half years left and must imbibe the lessons from the Bihar rout. He must understand that his achievements in Gujarat cannot be replicated pan-India. A business-like approach is not sufficient enough to contain inflation and unemployment. There has to be mutual trust and harmony among all.
Parthasarathy Sen,New Delhi
