Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Decisive verdict

The decisive victory of the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections signals many things. Most importantly, it shows that the people want a stable government. The electorate has voted against corruption and lawlessness. The verdict also sends the clear message that the BJP's communal ideology is unacceptable to the people. Ms. Mayawati's efforts to unite people fragmented along caste lines through campaigns such as the `Brahmin jodo abhiyan' have worked wonders. The BSP's organisational discipline, Ms. Mayawati's exceptional strategy, and the dedicated work by her partymen have clinched the victory the party richly deserves. The Election Commission must be equally credited for ensuring free and fair elections in the State.

B. Jayanna Krupakar,
Surathkal

* * *

The BSP's thundering success has jolted all those who thought the people of U.P. could be taken for granted. Ms. Mayawati has given a befitting reply to all the so-called election strategists, and armchair analysts. She must not let the rare opportunity slip out of her hands. She must take the people of all castes along, and ensure good governance. Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji must surely be smiling today.

Madhu R.D. Singh,
Ambala

* * *

Ms. Mayawati's departure from the beaten path of manuwadi-bashing, and inclusion of people of different castes and communities paid off. Her victory clearly indicates that the people by themselves would like to live in peace and harmony and that it is the politicians who keep them divided for votes.

M. Sundar,
Chennai

* * *

The Indian voters have once again displayed their maturity. Tired of coalitions that saw more bickering than progress, they have opted for a single-party government. The BJP with its undue dependence on Hindutva has been rejected in the land of Ayodhya.

It is time the party understood that divisive politics is not acceptable to the people in the long run. The Congress should do some soul-searching. It can no longer count on the Nehru-Gandhi charisma. A people-friendly socio-economic programme alone can make it acceptable to the masses.

S.S. Rajagopalan,
Chennai

* * *

Rajnath Singh's description of the results as shocking is understandable. The BJP's fortunes in national politics looked up only after its victory in the U.P. elections in 1991. It made an attempt to come back to power by projecting an aggressive Hindutva agenda. But it has been relegated to a poor third. Will the party give up its divisive agenda at least now?

K. Lakshmanan,
Srirangam

* * *

The U.P. verdict has ensured that future elections will be fought over development, clean drinking water, education, etc., relegating communalism to the backseat. This should augur well for Indian politics.

B.N. Bharath,
Kodagu, Karnataka

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