The writers have got it right that as voters queue for the final three phases of the five-phase election in Bihar, vikas will be the dominant issue and not beef (“ >It’s not about caste or beef, but vikas ,” Oct.28). However, India is a vibrant democracy where people from different religions and communities live in peace. It would amount to undermining the polity if we assume that vikas will be the only issue. Caste is always an important factor in a country where not everyone gets equal opportunities to pursue his/her educational and social goals. Backward caste consolidation is the aim of the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Yadav alliance. Victory for Nitish will not be a victory for development but a victory for this caste consolidation.
Navodita Pande,
Ghaziabad
