This is in reference to the editorial ?What voters want? (FE, December 9). The result of the recently-concluded assembly elections in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh may prove to be a turning point in Indian politics. The traditional vote-catching politics of poverty, identity, sops, populist schemes, discriminatory entitlement, etc, has failed to win voters who crossed all dividing lines in voting for the parties which had either a good record on development and governance or promised a change from the current rut. The substantial number of assertive young voters (in the age-group of 18-30) don?t want doles but opportunities which help them stand on their own feet. The wave of anger against the Congress is not going to subside in Lok Sabha elections which are a few months away. Enthused by its stunning public-support in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party could become a motivated contestant in the Lok Sabha election. This makes BJP?s task more difficult and calls for a credible plan of beating down inflation, helping growth speed up, all-round development and good governance which may convince the voters.
MC Joshi
Lucknow
