Gujarat battle

It is amusing that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give accounts of the BJP’s 22-year rule in Gujarat, forgetting the fact that the party has been repeatedly voted into power only because the people endorse its policies (“Account for your 22 years”, Nov. 30). Victory in Gujarat is essential for Mr. Gandhi, but it appears that he lacks a strategy to fight the elections. While he highlights national issues like demonetisation and promises routine sops like quota in employment, he fails to realise that Gujaratis are development-oriented, which is what the BJP’s policies underscore.

Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,

Hyderabad

With the electoral battle heating up in Gujarat, it would be interesting if Mr. Modi and Mr. Gandhi were allowed to debate on one platform, as is done in the U.S. presidential elections. Rather than lash out at each other, if they could elaborate on their aims, development strategies, alliance policies, etc., this could help voters understand the parties and their leaders better.

A.J. Rangarajan,

Chennai

Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the Somnath temple has turned into a full-blown political row. The reason is not far to seek. The BJP believes that it is its sole prerogative to tap Hindu religious identity for political gain. As a party thriving on the encroachment of religion into politics, it cannot countenance any other party or leader seeking to beat it at its own game. The BJP raises the question of Mr. Gandhi’s religion after managing to show his name in the register it says is meant for “non-Hindus” for fear that his temple-hopping might neutralise the advantage of being seen as a pro-Hindu party. It hopes to stem the tide of growing popular support for the Congress on Mr. Modi’s turf if it succeeds in portraying Mr. Gandhi more as a Catholic than as a Hindu despite the Congress’s assertion that he is a Shiv bhakt. To reach a situation where being not a Hindu is regarded as a disqualification to contest an election is to pronounce secular politics dead.

G. David Milton,

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu