In the article, “Indian democracy’s Westphalian moment” ((Editorial page, October 9), the writer says, “Without the regional parties, the Indian National Congress cannot take on the BJP.” The question that arises is, why has such an unendurable state of affairs come about for the Congress?
If the grand old party is to regain its lost mojo, it must rectify those blunders which have led to it being crushed. The pre-poll alliance the Congress is planning is one of sheer opportunism and expedience.
Murari Mohan,
Kolkata
Taking into account the extreme ideological gap between the Congress and regional parties, a pre-poll alliance is far-fetched. Even while forging pre-poll alliances, wherever possible, the viable option would be to have an electoral understanding instead. The Congress can no longer just rely on a vague ‘secularist’ call as the BJP has succeeded in trumping its ‘halo effect’. The Congress needs to come up with a vision on its economic, social and political policies so as to win over the section of the electorate now disappointed with the NDA regime.
Swaroop Paul M.,
Hyderabad
The problem with the Congress party is also the same reason that affected the Holy Roman Empire — and the example the writer has chosen. Look at the NDA, which is a well-knit, well-disciplined alliance. It has never faced any serious defections, and, at the same time, provides an opportunity for regional aspirations. This can be exemplified by how politics has changed in the Northeast — earlier a cradle of separatism, terrorism and non-politicism. When trying to whitewash the glorious past of the Congress, one should not forget the black days of democracy under its reign, the looting of public wealth, and its decline with it now being at the mercy of regional parties.
Arjun Ajayakumar,
Thiruvananthapuram
How can one use terms such as “majoritarianism” for the BJP and “democracy” only for the Congress? What equates only the Congress party to democracy? The Hindu should stop being a platform for anti-government articles.
Deshmukh P.P.,
Osmanabad, Maharashtra
