Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Modi’s triumph

One of the decisive factors in the Narendra Modi-led BJP’s thumping victory in the Gujarat Assembly election was the lack of an effective opposition. The opposition forces failed to make the people aware that Mr. Modi did not champion the cause of the poor and the downtrodden and that focus on “development” was about allowing massive FDI to help the rich. The Congress entered the battle without a leader equal to Mr. Modi in stature. ‘Moditva’ has hypnotised Gujarat since the Godhra carnage and it will demand hard work, as Mayawati showed in Uttar Pradesh, for any party to break Mr. Modi’s hold. Nevertheless, Mr. Modi’s audacious leadership deserves praise.

B. Jayanna Krupakar,

Surathkal

The BJP’s claim that its focus on “development and governance” brought a fourth consecutive victory is laughable. The religious polarisation in the State was so sharp that regardless of the BJP’s election slogan votes were sure to pour in for the party. A victory such as this is something that should not have happened. This might be a victory for the BJP but it is a setback to India’s integrity.

Punnya Rajendran,

Thiruvananthapuram

Mr. Modi’s triumph is more the debacle of a party devoid of a sincere long-term ideology and the necessary principles necessary to save the people from the clutches of communal forces. The Chief Minister’s relative personal integrity was preferred by the electorate.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

While the BJP deserves congratulations, it is not clear how the victory in Gujarat is expected, as some of its leaders are claiming, to have an impact at the national level. It has become a fashion to talk like this whenever a large State goes to the polls. State elections are different with their own regional priorities and choices.

N. Nagesh,

Chennai

It is true that Gujarat has witnessed a lot of development under Mr. Modi. However, he has a lot to do regarding the rehabilitation of the 2002 riot victims. People seem to have forgotten the violence and terror of those days. The Chief Minister should look after all the sections of the population and work for their development.

Nagesh Belapure,

Secunderabad

More than being a victory for any political ideology, Mr. Modi’s triumph shows that the people care more for security and well-being than anything else. It must be noted that Gujarat has been largely free from terrorist attacks too.

A. Balagangadharan,

Pollachi

The elections have convinced the people of Gujarat and India that the Congress was not as tough a competitor as projected by sections of the media. Mr. Modi’s biggest foe in the run-up to the polls was the English language media who widely scrutinised and criticised each and every step he took.

Arijit Ghose,

Chennai

Mr. Modi proved through his thumping victory all pollsters wrong. He even bucked the anti-incumbency trend and won. His personal integrity and his single-minded agenda to create a prosperous Gujarat seem to have swayed the people.

K.S. Sundaram,

Bangalore

The Gujarat election results have exploded the myth that talking of communalism or secularism can take priority over progress in the political rhetoric to woo voters. People are not interested in hollow idealism. They want tangible results and a dynamic leadership. Mr. Modi has provided both.

Col. Ram Gulrajani (retd.),

Chennai

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