Your cover story on the assembly elections was comprehensive, and it offered a clear overall picture (‘Face value’, April 5).
It appears that Himanta Biswa Sarma is likely to retain power in Assam, while M.K. Stalin and Mamata Banerjee seem set to hold on in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, respectively.
The only incumbent who may have to step down is Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala, with a Congress-led government likely to come to power. In West Bengal, the BJP is expected to improve its tally, narrowing the gap with the Trinamool Congress.
Arkashish Senapati,
On email.
Stalin could be in trouble in Tamil Nadu. I see Vijay’s party emerging as a significant force, and the AIADMK-BJP alliance performing better than expected.
In West Bengal, one cannot rule out the BJP from coming to power. There remains a slight possibility of that happening, and it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if the BJP manages to form the government in West Bengal.
Ankit Tomar,
On email.
Sarma appears confident about Assam, but the road ahead may not be entirely smooth. Sarma is an intelligent and shrewd operator unlike his predecessor Sarbananda Sonowal. There is also a perception that his politics involves polarisation with one community being set against another community—an approach some view as divisive.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, there seems to be a possible tacit understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP. In certain constituencies, weaker candidates were fielded, raising questions about intent. Such dynamics could be linked to the BJP-led Central government not aggressively pursuing corruption allegations involving the chief minister and his family.
Given these factors, the BJP could potentially open its account more significantly in Kerala, with a possibility of winning around six to seven seats. Let’s wait and see.
Vasudha G.,
On email.
Charismatic chief ministers have increasingly turned governance into a direct contract with voters, blending welfare delivery with identity-driven narratives to build trust. Yet, when elections become referendums on individuals, political parties, policies and local accountability risk being overshadowed.
Voters may reward familiarity in the absence of credible alternatives, but that should not be mistaken for deep or enduring approval.
K. Chidanand Kumar,
On email.
Need forward-looking solutions
Your article on the vulnerabilities in submarine cable systems underscores the urgent need for forward-looking solutions (‘Click, cut, chaos’, April 5). As global dependence on digital infrastructure deepens, protecting these underwater lifelines must shift from a technical concern to a strategic imperative.
Over-reliance on choke points, such as the Red Sea, creates systematic vulnerabilities. Public-private partnerships need strengthening, given that a significant share of these cables is owned by technology companies. Joint monitoring systems can enable early detection of disruptions.
Sanjay Chopra,
On email.
Countries heavily dependent on oil from the Gulf countries are likely to face significant economic hardship if tensions escalate further.
History has repeatedly shown that military force alone cannot resolve deeply rooted political conflicts. It is imperative that restraint and diplomatic sanity prevail over the impulses of war-mongering nations.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
In the current volatile geopolitical climate every response demands carefully measured vocabulary. Words are weighed not merely for what they convey, but for the context in which they are placed. Diplomacy, therefore, becomes a closely watched exercise in a rapidly evolving environment.
A ‘wait-and-watch’ approach appears well-suited to the moment. The continued passage of Indian cargo through the Strait of Hormuz—without disruption—underscores the effectiveness of such calibrated restraint.
As a major nation with longstanding and mutually beneficial relationships across the region, India must navigate these troubled water with care.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Biggest joker
Donald Trump is the biggest joker living on earth today. He is also cruel, and the venom in his voice is shocking (‘Schizo-nation’, April 5). He is the sole person responsible for taking the Israel/US-Iran war to this extent. It is his ego that prevents stopping the war right away. Trump is the only man responsible for all the mess the world is in now.
Yash Kothari,
On email.
Appropriate and timely
In these days of symbolic gestures, the decision to replace the bust of Edwin Lutyens with that of C. Rajagopalachari carries a certain meaning (‘Last word’, April 5).
Given Rajaji’s stature as a statesman, the earlier prominence accorded to Lutyens in the form of a bust at Rashtrapati Bhavan appeared to be a political misjudgement. Its correction, therefore, seems both appropriate and timely.
T.S. Sanath Kumar,
On email.
Don’t dismiss ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient branch of health knowledge in India (‘In tradition we trust’, March 29). It is believed to have existed for around 5,000 years. In contrast, modern medicine has been established in India for only about 200 years.
It is discouraging and inappropriate to dismiss ayurveda outright as pseudo-science. For centuries, health issues were managed primarily through ayurvedic practices.
M.P. Mithra,
On email.