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People’s rule

Punjab has been in the grip of such feudal lords as the Badals and the Captain. Now, with the emergence of AAP as a force, I can see people’s rule coming to Punjab, provided AAP does not botch up with immature leadership.

Bhartendu Sood, via email

EC must ponder

Apropos the letter “Denied voting right” by SDS Malhi (May 10), his efforts to get his vote transferred failed despite timely submission of Form 6. As per the Jalandhar Tribune (May 2), of the total 11,000 civil staff on poll duty, only 834 received election duty certificates due to hassles involved in the submission of Form 12-A and thus 10,000 civil staff besides 7,000 police personnel on poll duty in Jalandhar district could not cast their vote. If a similar situation existed in all 543 constituencies, a whooping 75-80 lakh persons on poll duty would have missed to vote. Is it due to lack of clear guidelines or the indifference of electoral officials? Could the EC please simplify the procedures to ensure that no one misses his voting right?

There is a large number of candidates in each constituency, mostly non-serious independents or those belonging to small insignificant outfits. This is not good for our democracy. Could the EC please devise/recommend measures to eliminate non-serious candidates?

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), Jalandhar

Looking to progress

The landslide victory of the BJP is unbelievable in this era of coalition governments. The whole nation has reposed faith in Modi. With the din of hustings over, it is time for Modi to walk the talk. The Gujarat development model showcased by him and his poll managers has played a vital role in his success. The masses are looking forward to an all-inclusive growth and development. The BJP leaders should prepare to implement the plans for streamlining the economy and the fruits of development should permeate all strata of society.

Anand Mahajan, Kurukshetra

BJP numbers due to AAP

Congratulations to Narendra Modi and the BJP for the landslide victory in the General Election. The number of seats it won was perhaps not expected even by the party. It has decimated the Congress. The credit also goes to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal who created awareness among the voters through his anti-corruption movement. Though he himself was defeated probably due to lack of political experience, it is a fact that had it not been for AAP, the BJP’s tally wouldn’t have risen this high.

Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi

House with no Oppn

The decisive mandate for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections is proof that the Indian electorate has come of age. This time round it seems to have used the diversity of political entities to throw up a cohesive formation at the Centre. In the next five years, it is hoped there is growth and social equity. The greater worry for all, including the BJP, must be the absence of a progressive Opposition.

SC Dhall, Zirakpur

Democracy prevails

India is the world’s largest democracy and at age 14, this was my first look at the great election juggernaut as an aware citizen. The Gandhis are one of India's greatest political dynasties, and the Congress had been in power for over 10 years. Following its loss, the party said it would respect the people’s wishes and continue to work for their betterment. We are fortunate that this spirit of democracy still rules, unlike some other countires like Ghana and Chile.

Chiraag Thakur, Chandigarh

Give jobs to all

The new government must know that people are turning poorer because of the higher cost of living and rising prices of essentials. It is difficult bring them down. Therefore, the only way by which the people can live a reasonably good life is if their earning capacity is raised. All must be given work and their wages fixed in such a manner that they can lead a good life, as is done in advanced countries, where if the state fails to give employment to anyone, it pays him doles which are fixed in a manner that enables him to live well. The new government must ensure that rich people spend within reasonable limits. What they possess is not theirs own alone, but is national wealth. The people in industry and commerce must invest money they have in the field. There should not be much difference between the rich and the poor.

Dalip Singh Wasan, Patiala

Voters assertive

Electors have started testing their political leaders. Politicians are now unlikely to enjoy unflinching loyalty of their voters. UP has been a pioneer in setting this trend in recent years. Electors in the state gave a clear majority to the BSP in 2007. Then the SP got success in the UP Legislative Assembly elections. Now, the BJP has got a tremendous mandate in UP in this General Election.

This time, the other states have aslo followed the same trend. Examples are Bihar, Assam and Punjab. Indian voters have started asserting themselves.

Now they demand nothing less than good performance by their leaders. If the elected ones fail to deliver, the others are tried.

The electorate seems to be in no mood to try only the major players alternately. This is certainly a positive development for our democracy and a healthy tradition for us to follow as voters.

Ravinder K Udha, Jalandhar City

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