Left with no choice?

Senior BJP leaders like Mr. L.K. Advani, Mr. Murli Manohar Joshi and Ms. Sushma Swaraj do not seem to realise that times have changed, with the Modi-Rajnath-Jaitley troika asserting itself with renewed vigour to enthuse the party’s ranks (March 20). All dissenters have no way but to go along the tide of opinion. Ultimately, it is the voter who will decide things, with bread- and-butter issues finding precedence over goings-on in the social media, Sensex upheavals and being fed news, paid or unpaid. Mr. Modi and his party managers must know the ground reality, which is why he is trying to establish himself on two turfs.

Ahamad Fuad,Kochi

It is an open secret that veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani has prime ministerial ambitions; these have been made known to all. However, he must realise that despite his contributions to the party, the electoral winds in the country are blowing in favour of Mr. Modi. It may not be right to say he is sulking, but he must show enough grace to bow to the primacy of the party structure.

H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana,Mysore

Though the issue may have been “resolved” within the BJP, if one goes by media reports the fact is that even Mr. Advani appears to be apprehensive of standing from Gujarat. Does he fear being wilfully undermined and overshadowed by the absolutism of Mr. Modi in Gujarat? The truth must be dawning on BJP leaders that the Modi style of functioning leaves no place for even those in the party, and it might leave them bereft of an identity. Autocracy tends to be vicious, and history has yet to record a progressive one of any consequence. Perhaps the episode will make all concerned realise the need for a strong political counterbalance to Mr. Modi.

R. Narayanan,

Ghaziabad

With Mr. Modi having established his hold over the party quickly, the BJP appears to be realising that senior leaders have no use for it. The party has chosen to play ducks and drakes with the octogenarian who has rendered yeoman service to the party. It is unfortunate that this rebuff is a clear signal that he has outlived his usefulness and must be ready to walk into the sunset. The leaders he has groomed appear willing to play Brutus.

C.V. Aravind,Bangalore