Letter to BS: Jharkhand election result shows opposition can challenge BJP

As far as the Opposition is concerned, if they join hands and put aside their ego then the BJP can be challenged in most states

This refers to “Lessons for BJP” (December 24). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) needs to understand that state elections are different and cannot be a referendum on the centre or the Prime Minister. The role of regional allies cannot be over-emphasised, as at the centre, the BJP may not need allies as Narendra Modi remains the tallest leader in the country. However, it might be the other way round for state elections. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 26 out of the 28 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes and the BJP has fared poorly in rural areas. This goes to prove that