Whatever Yogendra Yadav may say, even a layman knows that the BSP is not doing well in UP and that the SP has the brightest chances of finishing first (The More They Don’t Remain the Same, Feb 27). The question is whether it’ll get a majority on its own. And though Yadav has dedicated most of his column on a party that is fighting hard to finish third, it is only fond hope on his part; there is no doubt that the party will finish a respectable last.
Ravinder Singh Shekhawat, Bikaner
Whether it translates into votes or not, there is no denying that Rahul Gandhi has been a great success in the UP election campaign. He is the only one who has focused on development issues: improvement of infrastructure, irrigation, power, education and employment. The bjp is back to Ayodhya. Mayawati has no interest in the progress of the people of UP; in their ignorance and backwardness lie her advantages. And Mulayam Singh Yadav, of course, is promising the moon. Now, it’s up to the intelligence and wisdom of the voters to think who serves their interests the best.
Virendra S., Wellington, New Zealand
In India, journalists write stories that sell, or what they see through their casteist lens, or tailored to whoever pays the most. Yogendra Yadav, on the other hand, is a respectable political analyst whose views you may or may not agree with, but which carry weight. But the caste mindset remains strong as ever. Who will tell a stranger that he or she is a supporter of a Dalit party?
Rajesh Chandra, Phoenix
It is almost certain that the SP will bag the highest number of seats if not a majority. In all likelihood, therefore, the Congress will extend outside support to SP, ostensibly to keep communal forces at bay and to avoid re-election. This alliance may last till 2014 when the Congress withdraws support, citing misgovernance in the state and then enter the election fray on its own. After all, there can be no doubt that Congress and Rahul are ultimately chasing Mission 2014.
Pramod Srivastava, New Delhi
My guess is that all commentators will be proven wrong and Mayawati will return to power again, even if she does not get an overwhelming majority.
Anshul, Indore
Even if the present BSP government is voted out of power—if at all it happens, it will be only due to anti-incumbency, nothing else—it will prove beneficial for them in 2014, when the stakes are going to be much higher.
Anand Tripathi, Lucknow
I think the SP will stun everyone this time with its performance across UP. It’s riding an upper-caste wave of anger and consolidating its position with the help of the Muslim and obc vote. Moreover, it’s the only party seen to be an effective opponent of the BSP. The SP could end up with 180-185 seats, if not more. The BSP is virtually finished this time. There is a huge anti-incumbency wave across UP and all castes, with the sole exception of Jatavs, have deserted Mayawati. But to say that a virtually cadre-less Congress can displace the BSP from second position, as Yogendra Yadav does, is a gross overestimate.
Chinmay, hyderabad
All I can say is, the people of UP are staring at a basket full of rotten apples. A rather joyless menu of options.
Gilbert D’Souza, Bangalore
Being a psephologist, Yogendra Yadav has kept all his cards open so that when the results come in he can say, did I not predict that?
S.C. Sharma, New Delhi
I think statisticians indulge in too much opinion-mongering. They worry too much about the skew in the datasets, not the bias in their own minds when they pass off opinion mixed with onground stats.
Kautilya, Washington DC
Rahul Gandhi’s career is yet to kick off, yet we already have “a first comprehensive biography” and a review of it in your magazine. And just a week after that, he is on your cover! If only Indira had married a person with a lesser surname, our nation would have been better off and the media wouldn’t be going ga-ga over the wrong Gandhi.
Umesh Kesavan, Madurai
So, what happens if Rahul fails? Nothing really. Your stories are based on the premise that the current elections will have national implications. Does anyone remember the 2011 election and its implications? Or the Bihar election? The Congress lost every election in 2008, yet managed to win handsomely in 2009. The bjp won big in 2003, only to be wiped out in 2004. Likewise, these elections will have no bearing three months from now. Wait and watch.
V.R. Ganesan, New Jersey
