The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : BJP’s bluster

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Friday, Jun 29, 2007
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BJP’s bluster

The UNPA and the NDA have discredited both the President and the Vice-President. The Congress supported the NDA’s presidential candidate in 2002. But the NDA refused to reciprocate when the UPA-Left combine announced Pratibha Patil as its candidate. It said ‘no’ to a second term for Abdul Kalam and backed Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. When the UNPA proposed Mr. Kalam’s name, and he seemed to agree, it endorsed his candidature and dropped Mr. Shekhawat without any consideration for his prestige. After Mr. Kalam rejected the UNPA proposal, it is back to supporting Mr. Shekhawat. The Hindu has been proved right after all (“An open letter to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat,” June 18).

T. Pratap Reddy,

Guntur

The editorial “BJP’s bluster” (June 28) correctly says the party has lurched from one unprincipled position to another, the last being its act of reverting to Mr. Shekhawat. The BJP is in denial. It is yet to come to terms with its unexpected setback in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. It would be advisable for it to concentrate on rebuilding itself. It needs to grow and enlarge its constituency.

J. Dorai Raj,

Chennai

The BJP’s refusal to introspect even when the writing is on the wall is unfortunate. As if the poor show in the Uttar Pradesh elections was not bad enough, its campaign in the presidential election has been a complete failure and has dealt another blow to its credibility. Things could not get any worse for the BJP with its ideological ally, the Shiv Sena, extending support to Ms. Patil. The BJP, which once showed all signs of providing a viable political option on the national scene, seems to be fading into oblivion. Its failure to take a rational stand on key issues and indulgence in non-issues have been largely responsible for its decline.

Irfan Shamim,

New Delhi

The BJP’s somersault has ended in a fiasco as the Shiv Sena too has forsaken it. The vilification campaign against Ms. Patil reflects the party’s frustration.

V.K. Sathyavan Nair,

Kottayam

The BJP “sought to develop the best spin machine in the political business,” only to put up a steadily declining electoral performance. Its penchant for coining catchy slogans and chasing non-substantive, transient emotional issues is bogging it down. The party is caught in its own spin.

P.P. Sudhakaran,

Bangalore

Without taking shelter in the Constitution, Mr. Shekhawat should step down as Vice-President. V.V. Giri, an independent candidate in the presidential election of 1969, not only resigned as Vice-President but also vacated his official residence. In a parliamentary democracy, precedents and conventions are worthy of emulation.

P.V.N. Nambiar,

Kannur

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