Date:31/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/31/stories/2007123153891001.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Rising BJP

This refers to the editorial “BJP rising” (Dec. 29). The party’s victory in Himachal Pradesh, after Gujarat, will mark a turning point in national politics unless the Congress draws proper lessons from its electoral defeat. The Congress should realise that the economic policies being pursued by it have only resulted in the rich becoming richer and the poor poorer. Neither the 9 per cent GDP growth nor fall in the inflation rate has had any positive impact on the life of the common man. Unemployment, soaring prices, and kowtowing to America are the major factors that have contributed to the miserable performance of the Congress in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

S.R. Krishnamurthy,

Thanjavur

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The Congress relies heavily on Rahul and Sonia Gandhi”s charisma, and not its performance. Voters are not lured by Hindutva or personalities but by performance, as can be seen from the results of the Assembly elections.

K.L. Bhaskaran,

Coimbatore

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Besides stalwarts, there are many young charismatic leaders in the BJP who make an impression on voters during election campaigns. But Ms Gandhi is the only Congress leader who is able to do so. The party lacks dedicated workers at the ground level.

S. Janakiraman,

Coimbatore