Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Poll results

The outcome of the Assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal and Pondicherry has ratified the findings of the exit poll conducted by The Hindu -CNN-IBN team. The fall of a few veterans in the Indian Union Muslim League and considerable inroads by the Left into the Muslim votebank are some significant aspects of the election outcome in Kerala. Though the Congress suffered a setback in the State, it has made gains in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The party may be able to retain power in Assam.

The West Bengal result is no surprise. The Left forces have reinforced their position through fair elections conducted in five phases. The result of the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha by-election may offer new hope for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. In all, the results present a win-win situation for the Congress and its allies, particularly the Left.

C.P. Velayudhan Nair,
Kochi, Kerala

The results have thrown up some interesting aspects regarding people's choice of leaders. The anti-incumbency argument has been nullified in West Bengal. In Tamil Nadu, outgoing Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's fate was sealed when she suspended over a lakh State Government employees for striking work. The lesson for her and others — do not trample upon the rights of the common man because he is the king in a democracy.

Yugal Rayalu,
Nagpur

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu