Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

A new dimension

The Tamil Nadu electorate has given not only a decisive verdict but has also introduced a new dimension to the political scenario of the State. Ever since the DMK was voted to power in 1967, one of the Dravidian parties has been ruling the State with absolute majority. For the first time, a government led by the DMK will be dependent on the Congress. The verdict also throws up an interesting equation for the Centre-State relationship, with both the Congress and the DMK dependent on each other for survival.

N. Ramakrishnan,
Chennai

The voters have ushered in the new regime with the hope that there will be better Centre-State cooperation — a factor that has been absent for over three decades now. Although the emergence of the Dravidian parties has strengthened regional autonomy over the years, the lack of cooperation from the Centre has resulted in failure to augment development in many spheres.

Neither the Congress nor any other third party has emerged as an alternative; to expect one to emerge for another decade or so is wishful thinking. Coalition, therefore, is the best option under the circumstances. It is hoped the Congress and the Left will participate in the government.

Sivakumar Periasamy,
Bareilly, U.P.

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi deserves praise for spearheading the DPA to a stupendous victory. The people expect the formation of a coalition government with the much needed checks and balances. They also hope there will be no political witch-hunt and Mr. Karunanidhi will extend a hand of friendship to the Opposition. A word of appreciation is also due to The Hindu -CNN-IBN team for the accurate projections in the exit poll.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam, T.N.

It was a closely fought election in which the anti-incumbency factor was absent, only minor differences existed in the strength of the alliances and there was a strikingly large voter turnout. The voters have given a decisive verdict for a coalition for the first time. None other than the people of Tamil Nadu have won the election.

P.S. Kumar,
New Delhi

The verdict is the most authoritative expression of voters' minds and no political party should belittle it. As for the opinion polls, many magazine-based studies that predicted one-sided results went wrong.

As usual, the interpretation of public opinion became a babble of discordant voices and conflicting claims.

R. Bhakther Solomon,
Chennai

The verdict defeated autocracy, cautioned against family succession to Chief Minister's post, put in place a bigger Opposition, and taught a lesson to all those who believed too much in chemistry.

R. Ganesan,
Chennai

The results looked like a mirror image of the exit poll figures. Congratulations to The Hindu -CNN-IBN team.

Saravanan Loganathan,
Chennai

During World War II, Winston Churchill assumed the reins of power and led Britain to victory. But in the general elections that followed, the people voted him out of power. Similarly Ms. Jayalalithaa, bequeathed empty coffers, brought the State out of the morass and steered it towards economic growth, brought rowdyism under control, and handled the gigantic tragedies of the tsunami and unprecedented floods.

More than a desire for change, the masses of Tamil Nadu seem to have been carried away by the promise of free colour television sets.

A. Dharma Perumal,
Palayamkottai, T.N.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Election outcome positives
Time to deliver on promises
An Iranian offer that America must heed
For human rights protection, a new beginning
Microsoft's problem bringing Vista online
Poll projections come true
Corrections and Clarifications
The election results and coalition politics
Resource rich Bolivia turns clock back
Poll results
Kerala verdict
Seven times in a row
A new dimension

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu