This refers to Sunil Sethi's column "The ides of March are here" (Al Fresco, February 28). The downfall of political parties and their leaders starts once they start taking themselves as wiseacres and people for granted. Riding the anti-incumbency against the Congress, the Narendra Modi led-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the general elections last year. But as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi committed the mistake of thinking that his oratory would make people forget his electoral promises.
The equally canny and innovative Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) exploited this situation to the hilt. It dealt the BJP a crushing defeat in the Assembly elections. But AAP must remember that it has to make long-term plans and policies to solve Delhi's chronic problems. Sops and doles are not the solution.
The current political scenario shows that the Congress remains in doldrums. Regarding the Left parties and their natural allies such as the Samajwadi Party, the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, they are still licking their wounds after being mauled in the elections.
Every election serves as a lesson for the parties. They must read the mind of the people, otherwise they will find themselves in the political wilderness.
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The equally canny and innovative Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) exploited this situation to the hilt. It dealt the BJP a crushing defeat in the Assembly elections. But AAP must remember that it has to make long-term plans and policies to solve Delhi's chronic problems. Sops and doles are not the solution.
The current political scenario shows that the Congress remains in doldrums. Regarding the Left parties and their natural allies such as the Samajwadi Party, the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, they are still licking their wounds after being mauled in the elections.
Every election serves as a lesson for the parties. They must read the mind of the people, otherwise they will find themselves in the political wilderness.
Tarsem Singh Hoshiarpur
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number