Opinion Many a slip
Narendra Modi has been diligently consolidating his position in the party.
* This refers to the editorial ‘Transition pangs’ (IE, March 25). There is no doubt that the BJP has a new power centre — Narendra Modi. He has been diligently consolidating his position in the party. Though it seems likely that Modi will come to power riding on a wave of popularity, the events that have unfolded over the last fortnight have hampered the BJP’s momentum a great deal. The BJP no longer seems like the lean, smooth machine that it once looked like. With the establishment of a new power centre, a realignment of forces is but necessary. But it would have been better if the realignment was gradual and not so abrupt. Especially not on the eve of an important general election. The BJP would do well to remember that being too sure of itself can backfire. Let the party not forget the lessons of 2004.
— Chandramohan V.
Mumbai
* The BJP is becoming increasingly intolerant of differences of opinion and averse to freedom of expression, both outside and within the party. It has marginalised, muted and humiliated many of its senior leaders. Also, the way its cadres tried to scare Arvind Kejriwal and his partymen away from Varanasi shows that the BJP does not recognise the democratic right of every Indian citizen to freely travel to any part of the country and contest elections from anywhere. What are they so scared of?
— H.L. Sharma
Amritsar
Not infallible
* Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s announcement that Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 had crashed into the Indian Ocean has ended the painful speculation, theories and suspense about the fate of the plane. The tragedy has shown us that technology is not infallible. Despite valiant efforts, some mysteries may stay unsolved. The only heartening thing about this episode was the unity and team spirit exhibited by several countries in their attempts to to trace the missing plane.
— Ganapathi Bhat
Akola
Drawing lessons
* This refers to ‘Who’s afraid of Neville Maxwell?’ by Shekhar Gupta (IE, March 22). The most important question to
be asked is whether successive governments have been able to draw the appropriate lessons from India’s unpreparedness and poor response to the Chinese during the 1962 war. The answer is not too clear. The fact that both the UPA and NDA chose not to make the report public leads me to believe that its secrecy is vital for national security.
— B.N. Anand
Mohali
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