Your analysis of the election result in Karnataka was interesting. Many of us had expected the Congress to come back to power. I thought D.K. Shivakumar will take a week or more to accept the decisions of the high command, but he did it so fast (‘Crisis to consensus’, May 28).
Shivakumar is a smart operator and a crowd puller. He would not like to play second fiddle to Siddaramaiah for long. If the Congress is not able to win at least 15 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state next year, tensions between the two stalwarts of the Congress will rise.
The BJP performed below par across Karnataka despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving a personal tone to the campaign, and that is a worrying sign for the party.
These are interesting times in Karnataka. Let us wait and watch.
Radhika Naidu,
On email.
I want to congratulate the Congress on its spectacular victory in Karnataka. Even die-hard followers of the party would not have expected such a huge victory.
I thought your election analysis was lopsided. While it is true that the BJP got a bashing with respect to the number of seats, their vote share of 36 per cent remained unscathed.
If there is one party that has lost heavily, it is the JD(S). H.D. Deve Gowda and H.D. Kumaraswamy have a lot to introspect.
Dilip Gurjar,
On email.
The result in Karnataka has given an unexpected boost to the Congress.
The double-engine government pitch of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah has petered out, and needs a refit. Later this year, the Congress may come back to power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. It could also come to power in Madhya Pradesh. People of India have always held electoral secrets close to their hearts, and in due course they will reveal it.
Karanam Rao,
Hyderabad.
Blame Pakistan, not India
Mani Shankar Aiyar failed to note India’s willingness to send relief and aid material to flood-ravaged Pakistan. But Pakistan did not respond to the call (‘Mani-festo’, May 28). In August 2019, the then Imran Khan-government had suspended trade with India, via the Attari-Wagah border, and downgraded diplomatic ties between the two countries, which is yet to resume.
So, who is at fault here? Let Aiyar self-introspect on the state of affairs before coming out publicly.
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.
I do not think Pakistan is on the brink. It might be gradually collapsing, but allies in the Muslim world and ‘big brother’ (the US) will never allow Pakistan to go bankrupt.
But, what if Pakistan does not get any help? In such a scenario, India must capitalise on the situation and take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The time is ripe for India to seize the opportunity to settle the Kashmir issue once and for all in its favour. Diplomatically, India should try to force Pakistan to give up PoK.
If the situation in Pakistan becomes stable, India will benefit as anti-social elements would be kept in check. Till then, let us hope for a reformative Pakistan.
Shweta Chaudhary,
On email.
Great job
Your cover package on B. R. Ambedkar was no less than a feast (‘Reclaiming the redeemer’, January 29). Achievements and contributions of the great scholar have been comprehensively spelt out.
It was the Constitution that made Ambedkar’s concepts of rationalism, and his disapproval of the caste system crystal clear. In fact, his depth of knowledge on politics, finance, law, science and multi-language proficiency enhanced his acceptance at the international level.
An empathetic attitude towards the marginalised, creation of a casteless society, worry over discrimination against dalits and promoting social justice made Ambedkar beyond compare with others of his time.
I want to congratulate everyone at THE WEEK for compiling such a collection of informative and authentic report that no other publication could have. Keep it up.
Jagan Jacob,
On email.
Ms Ambani should help
Nita Ambani has been a leading sponsor of cricket and football in the country, but her desire to bring the Olympics to India may remain an unfulfilled dream (‘I want to represent the youth of the country’, May 14).
Hosting the Olympics is not just about funding and creating the necessary infrastructure, both of which I am sure Ms Ambani can manage. India should reform its culture to excel in every sport, and we should dominate every sport. At the moment, Indians are only obsessed with cricket.
Ms Ambani evokes great admiration for her multi-dimensional work. It would be ideal if she could find a way to develop every sport at the grassroots level. No doubt, some initiatives have been made under her guidance but that hardly touches the fringe.
Frankly, Ms Ambani is the only one with the resources and the support of international sports bodies to take sports to a different level in India. She can give our sportspersons the wherewithal to succeed, wherever the Olympics is held.
Sudhakar Nair,
On email.
Congratulations
Let me congratulate you and your colleagues for coming out, every week, with interesting and authentic information on a range of subjects. I have been an eager reader of your magazine from my college days 30 years ago. It is admirable that you continue to give the readers well-researched articles on national and international matters. Thank you for taking care of readers’ interests. I am sure your efforts will help in reversing an unfortunate social trend—the general decline in reading habit. Thank you for updating, enlightening and equipping the readers with your magic pen.
Ashish Joshi,
On email.