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Graft did Cong in

The humiliating defeat of the Congress in the four Assembly elections is a result of its inability to check rampant corruption and bad governance. People have voted for the BJP in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for good governance. In Rajasthan, the Congress was routed because it did not contain corruption and nepotism. People are fed up with the hollow promises of the Congress.

In Delhi, it lost as it adopted a “chalta hai” attitude to the incidents of rape, corruption, rising prices and electricity and water problems. It never cared for the welfare of the man in the street. The hung verdict in Delhi presents a chance of President’s rule before a re-election.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Golden era begins

If Anna had kept quiet and Kiran Bedi had not parted ways with Kejriwal, the AAP would have swept Delhi with its broom. The AAP begins the golden era for India. It would put brakes on corruption, inflation and nepotism in the administration of Delhi. The BJP would not have an easy ride in the Assembly since the AAP stands for honesty and integrity.

C K Sharma, Gurgaon

Decisive vote

It is a decisive vote against the Congress in Delhi. Sheila, with her non-chalance and arrogance towards the AAP, has paid a heavy price.

No doubt, the AAP has emerged as an angry reaction to the corrupt practices of the Congress in the state and central governments. The AAP has shown that elections can be fought and won even with meagre resources as long as there is sincerity to serve the people. The Congress must examine why its electoral pitch of pro-poor policies like the rural job guarantee scheme, farmer-friendly land acquisition law, right to education and subsidised food, the RTI and Aadhaar didn’t attract many takers.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad

Democracy has won

Kudos to Arvind Kejriwal and his party for their remarkable performance in the Delhi elections. For the first time, it appears that the common man has won and democracy has won. It also shows that an honest leader can create a ripple in the political waters. Had Anna Hazare supported Kejriwal, the AAP would have got a majority in the Assembly. The AAP victory promises a bright future. Now, Kejriwal should make his presence felt in other states in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Amit Garg, Patiala

With righteous cause

The sensational debut of the AAP speaks of the robust health of the Indian democracy. It reflects the aptness of the following Urdu couplet: ‘Na but khaane ke bande hai, na kaabe ke mureedon mein, Jahan noor-e haquiqat ho wahi par sir jhukaate hai’ (We belong neither to one party or other, we bow our heads before a righteous cause).

When the party is promising corruption-free governance and essential commodities at reasonable prices, why should we ignore it? The humiliating defeat suffered by three-time Chief Minister is also a case worth noting. The hardworking lady paid more attention to playing second fiddle to the Congress supremo than redressing the grievances of the people. The unsuccessful ones have to be content with religious scriptures which envisage ‘Sahib hath vadiayan jis bhaave tis deh’ (Glory and respect is in the hands of God).

Shyam Sunder Airi, Kapurthala

Now, show results

The Congress has lost the Delhi election because it has failed on all fronts and things have gone from bad to worse for the aam aadmi: inflation has hit him, law and order does not exist as everyone feels he is above the law and there is no fear of law, women are victims of sexual assaults and rapes. Only the elected representatives benefited by increasing their wealth through scams and corruption.

The new government must check these points and do the needful, otherwise its fate would be the same as that of the Congress. Work and show results. Rise above communalism, religion and caste. Stop vote bank politics.

Mahesh Kumar, via email