Your interview with Mallikarjun Kharge was elaborate and informative (‘Hand reaches out in hope’, April 21). Kharge is an able and sincere leader with years of experience. Under him, the Congress is in safe hands. But I agree with your assessment that for the Congress, countering the BJP’s pitch on welfarism is not going to be easy.
The INDIA bloc has to be effective on ground. Having state-specific plans and adjustments will confuse the voters, and the BJP will take advantage of it. But I am glad that the opposition parties have genuinely made an effort to be seen as a united front on the national scene. Perception, after all, matters more than sincerity.
All said, it is to Narendra Modi’s credit that he has built one of the most impressive electoral machines in recent history. But I wonder why the BJP leaders are so confident about their mission to score 400. Yes, it is a decisive battle and Modi may come back to power, but definitely with fewer numbers.
Nagesh K.,
On email.
The Congress will win many more seats than it won in 2019. The INDIA bloc could get anywhere between 160 and 180 seats. The BJP will fall short of majority. There is no Modi wave in the country as is being projected.
Kharge is doing a good job as the president of the Congress. Senior leaders like him are valuable assets of the party. But the Congress needs to nurture younger leaders. The seniors have to make way for young blood. The sooner, the better.
Rupika Tyagi,
On email.
I liked the interview with P. Chidambaram. He has put forward cogent arguments. I agree with Chidambaram that Modi has depreciated the word guarantee. It does not resonate with the people any longer. Modi has failed to fulfil most of his promises. People know that he will say whatever he needs to in order to win an election. Hollow promises and Modi go hand in hand.
Ranjith Singh,
On email.
The INDIA bloc is very strong in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and the BJP will find it really difficult to make inroads into the state. But I do not agree with M.K. Stalin’s assessment that the INDIA bloc will come to power at the Centre. No force can stop Modi from coming back to power. Stalin and the DMK continue to be popular in Tamil Nadu, and the INDIA bloc relies on Stalin’s popularity. Today he is the most powerful leader in the INDIA bloc. That definitely puts Stalin on a pedestal, which he will relish and take pride in.
P.P. Amarnath,
On email.
It made me nostalgic
The article ‘Holy cow!’ (April 21) made me nostalgic and brought back fond memories of my father’s association with some Brazilian ranch owners in 1960-62.
Back then, I was a young girl. I remember the Brazilians coming in from Sao Paulo, meeting my father, seeking his assistance (mainly due to language and travel issues) in buying some Indian breeds, and most importantly, the Ongole bull, for which they paid the princely sum of $10,000 per bull those days. The cattle were kept and cared for in a spacious shelter on the outskirts of Chennai before being shipped out to Brazil. The export was carried out through my father’s brother’s company, the well-known G.M. Govias & Sons Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agents, Chennai.
Miriam Noronha
(nèe Govias),
On email.
Running wild
Hunting of wild animals have pushed some species to the brink of extinction (‘Last word’, April 21). Botswana seems to be at the receiving end of the problem of plenty regarding elephants. Global watchdog bodies that protect and restore wildlife and habitat should devise ways and means to host ecologically sustainable wild animals in a defined territory.
The receding forest cover and fast-eroding habitat make life miserable for wild animals who are often found to stray into human settlements wreaking havoc on life and property. That an event of 218 BCE has resurfaced in a different proportion to haunt a poor nation is emblematic of our indifferent treatment to both the issue and the hapless animal.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Hopes belied
The situation that Arvind Kejriwal faces today is the result of his actions (‘Broom, bottle and a capital battle’, April 14). People who had high expectations from him have today become fools. Kejriwal joined hands with the INDIA bloc to protect himself. He is a classic example of how you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Jayakumar A.V,
On email.
Singh is not king
Manmohan Singh is a good economist but by no stretch of imagination is he a great leader (‘Sing the praises of Singh’, April 14). The economic reforms of 1991 were initiated by P.V. Narasimha Rao. Rightfully, Rao was conferred the Bharat Ratna.
Singh’s tenure of prime ministership was littered with scandals and he did not show any leadership quality to dispel that. His communication to the nation was at an abysmal level. He only worked as a lieutenant to the behind-the-scene chief (Sonia Gandhi).
Of course, he did not utilise power to enhance his personal wealth. And that credit should go to him. But great leaders should possess many more great qualities.
Manoj Das,
On email.