Opinion Karnataka pattern
As expected,the BJP was ousted from the Karnataka assembly and the Congress romped home,helped by the incumbency factor
Karnataka pattern
* As expected,the BJP was ousted from the Karnataka assembly and the Congress romped home,helped by the incumbency factor. But,more than the grand old party,it might be former BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa who will be celebrating the defeat. As the millions of votes polled on Sunday were counted across the state,a tale of losses unfolded for the BJP. Yeddyurappa,largely credited with bringing the BJP to power in the state five years ago,quit the party to lead the KJP in December. His campaign has highlighted the BJPs betrayal. In 2008,the BJP had won 110 seats and come to power for the first time in Karnataka. The BJP central leaderships rejection of Yeddyurappa seems to have cost it dear.
C.K. Subramaniam
Navi Mumbai
* THE BJP has itself to blame for the loss of its only southern bastion. Its governments in Gujarat,Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have been performing well and look poised to win another election. In Karnataka,the dithering on how to deal with B.S. Yeddyurappa had damaged its chances. The Congress campaign might have hinged on the corruption issue,but the same issue might boomerang on the party in the parliamentary elections. The BJP needs to invest in some introspection and brace itself for the parliamentary elections. The corrupt people who have been ejected from the party should not be let back in. Neither should the BJP depend on a particular caste for its votebank. It must build a base across different sections of society. It is to be hoped that the party will fight future assembly and parliamentary elections with definite policies and programmes that could be a suitable alternative to the UPA.
N. Ramamurthy
Fast and furious
* THE editorial Not so fast (IE,May 8) rightly advises the government not to be in a hurry to push the food security bill through Parliament.
There is currently a logjam,with the BJP refusing to cooperate until Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Law Minister Ashwani Kumar are made to resign. The crucial bill has been waiting for clearance by the two Houses for too long now.
But it still needs to be discussed and debated in minute detail by all parties before it is turned into law. Even the BJP should realise this and cooperate with the government.
R.K. Kapoor
Bars and borders
* THE unfortunate Sarabjit episode has brought into focus the plight of Indian prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails. It is shameful that the Indian political leadership has failed to bring back its citizens,many of whom were captured while allegedly spying for their government. It is an abject failure of diplomacy.
A.K. Sharma
Chandigarh
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