This refers to the editorial "Lessons from two elections" (December 24). Although the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) created history in both Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir, its performance failed to meet the predictions and its own estimates. Of course, these results are not comparable to the party's performance in the 2014 general elections. The BJP should analyse why its development agenda and anti-incumbency have failed to deliver convincing gains.
It seems that there is going to be a coalition government in Jharkhand and one hopes it will ensure the good governance that the state has been denied all these years. The BJP's performance in Jammu & Kashmir proves that the party's flip flop on Article 370 has cut no ice among the voters. While the special status has not benefited the state in general, the Jammu and Ladhakh areas feel neglected. The BJP should not compromise on its core ideals if they become a partner in the new government. The party should convince the people in the state that joining the mainstream is the only way for development.
N Ramamurthy Chennai
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