‘Poll managers? Jaitley never fought one, Mahajan lost his LS election’

There is no doubt about the serious problem in the Kerala unit of the Congress. Since a panel of Congress party is giving a patient hearing to both sides to sort out the problem, I do not like to make value-loaded comments. Such problems are an inevitable part of a political process. They cannot be seen as a reflection either on Antony or on Congress party. Kerala unit of Congress has been faction-ridden for the last three decades. It is not a new problem, nor such problems should be grudged.

• Gains and losses are part of political life. But what are the plans of the Congress to get back the hold that it has lost in the Hindi heartland, especially UP and Bihar?

B Krishnan

The long-term ambition of Congress continues to be to regain its primacy in every part of India, particularly in UP and Bihar. However, the immediate plan is to forge a successful Congress-led coalition at the national level through alliances and adjustments in UP and Bihar.

Congress can revive itself in UP and Bihar by becoming leading constituent of a national coalition.

• One thing that the BJP sweep proved was the effectiveness of its poll managers, namely Arun Jaitley and Pramod Mahajan. But when one looks at Congress there seems to be a vacuum. Rootless wonders like Kamal Nath, Ambika Soni and Ahmed Patel can’t even win a municipal poll on their own…

Rajendra Sirohi

All electoral victories produce false and fleeting whizkids. Pramod Mahajan and Arun Jaitley undoubtedly belong to this passing breed. I would request you to reflect on why they failed in Himachal Pradesh where elections were held only a few months back and why they failed in Delhi.

In the three states, Congress lost because of anti-incumbency factors. The BJP has won by default. Arun Jaitley, who never fought an election, and Pramod Mahajan, who lost Lok Sabha elections and is content with Rajya Sabha seat, should not be perceived as poll managers by insightful poll analysts.

For what happens at the hustings, as part of cyclical process, seasoned politicians like Kamal Nath, Ambika Soni and Ahmed Patel, should not be treated as fall guys. That would be over-simplification of a complex and multi-dimensional process.

• Why does the Congress fail to gain political mileage out of corruption issues that have rocked the NDA government time and again. We have had Tehelka, petrol pump scam, Kargil coffins, Judeo tape to name a few. But the NDA government stands as tall as it always did.

Abhishek Gupta

Proof of effectiveness of exploitation of issues relating to corruption should be seen in election results. Congress, before this round, had won in many states like Punjab, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi.

After Vajpayee became Prime Minister, BJP won in only five states in five years, Gujarat (reasons are known), Goa and these three states in this round.

It can, therefore, be seen that the corruption issue did work against the NDA government. Corruption is one of the major issues, but it cannot be the only issue. Anti-incumbency generates stronger negative sentiments than corruption.

• What does the party plan for leaders like Ashok Gehlot and Digvijay Singh who were just victims of the anti-incumbency wave? Is it true that Sonia Gandhi feels insecure with such leaders of national stature — and a bright political future — and hence they are kept out of Delhi?

Rana Sen

I am sure that the services of experienced leaders like Digvijay Singh and Ashok Gehlot will be appropriately utilised.

It should be remembered that both of them grew in stature and recognition because of the solid support given by the national leadership of Congress party. The position of Sonia Gandhi in Congress party is unique. No body in the party compares himself or herself with the Congress president.