Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Weak response

This refers to the excellent editorial, ‘Modi’s triumph, Congress debacle’ (Dec. 24). You have rightly said that the party heading the Central Government could be in serious trouble and that the nuclear deal with the U.S. could be the first causality. The Modi magic has worked. The election results have exposed the exit polls’ limitations. The imperative for the Modi government to have a smooth relationship with Muslims will grow more urgent. It is time for the Congress to do some introspection.

J. Dorai Raj

Chennai

The editorial has made a comprehensive analysis of the implications of the Gujarat election and Mr. Modi’s triumph. The BJP’s resounding victory was helped in no small way by the opposition. Sonia Gandhi’s “merchants of death” speech, novices such as Rahul Gandhi trying to sway the voters with stale theories — these made the task easier for the BJP. The election results will have come as a shock not only to the Congress but also to other parties that support the UPA government.

Swetha R. Deepak,

Chennai

The Congress’ response to Mr. Modi’s challenge was, as you have neatly summed up, “reactive, weak, and pathetically inept.” This was further compounded by the arrogance of Sonia Gandhi. Her terming Mr. Modi and his supporters “merchants of death” was the last nail in the Congress’ coffin. Deputing Mr. Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Gujarat was another mistake. The young scion failed miserably in U.P. and he did no better in Gujarat.

Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.),

Palakkad

The editorial shows your disappointment. Even the Congress does not seem to have been so upset. Mr. Modi has won against overwhelming odds. The vast majority of the people have acknowledged his efficient administration and good governance. You have further blamed the poll management of the Congress. Mr. Modi bagged almost twice as many seats as the Congress did, proof that there was a positive swing in his favour. The Congress should concentrate on better governance to win the faith of the people.

B.N. Kapali,

Chennai

The election results have clearly shown that the slogan of secularism is not appropriate at this moment. People want immediate solutions to their everyday problems. The Congress had no point to focus on except Godhra and the Ram Sethu controversy. In retrospect, the fact that the Congress had no leader to project as its chief ministerial candidate appears to have been a crucial factor.

Jagat Jyoti Barik,

Ganjam

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