Dear Prime Minister,

When the results of the Karnataka elections were out, I was happy about the way you and your party fought the electoral battle. Now I realise that it was more of a sigh of relief and an optimistic approach to the result. The result of the trust vote and Vajpayee-esque resignation of BS Yeddyurappa has now forced me to think on the negative side of affairs. Why did BJP fail to secure a full majority when the momentum was in its favour? As far as electoral politics is concerned, we know that the Vajpayee approach is definitely not a winner.

When BJP lost Bihar and Delhi, I was glad. I was glad that you had finally tasted some failure in your electoral career. That is because failure teaches lessons for bigger tests. As Gujarat chief minister and Prime Ministerial candidate, you had not lost any elections. Failure was a necessary medicine for BJP because it learnt that Vikas alone cannot win elections. Karnataka comes across as a reminder regarding this undeniable fact.

As one of your supporters pointed out, BJP is now a TINA (there is no alternative) option for its core supporters unlike Congress, which is a preferred option for its core voters. Thus, I feel that the result of Karnataka is a necessary punishment for your excessive focus on Vikas.



Please look at Siddaramaiah and Congress. When he came to power he immediately threw away the anti-cow slaughter legislation. Ensured that his core voters got preferential dole in the form of Shaadi Bhagya or budget allocations for the minority scholarship. He pumped up his vote bank’s self-confidence through Tipu Jayanti. He went ahead with a proposal for a separate religion status for Lingayats and an official flag for Karnataka. Congress vehemently fought against Triple Talaq bill in Rajya Sabha even though it was a regressive move. Congress really cares for its core voter, unlike BJP. Can BJP learn something here?

Congress ensures that most hated legislation or policies in the view of its core voters are scrapped as soon as it is in power. But BJP does not have this courage. It has still not removed most hated provisions of RTE. BJP has still not touched the legislation which allows the state to meddle with Hindu temples. Why can’t BJP bring in a legislation to stop this brazen intrusion of the state in affairs of Hindu temples? It has done absolutely nothing decisive in the Ram Temple issue apart from posturing in courts.

Prime Minister, you have not imprisoned those who looted India in coal scam and 2G scam. In Jammu, BJP has done nothing to evict Rohingya refugees who have illegally settled. You went a step ahead and announced the Ramzan ceasefire in Kashmir. How are you different from Congress in terms of appeasement politics? Modiji, you can’t ignore these issues and sing the Vikas song all the time. Fans like me may vote you again, but those who are disgruntled will ditch you. Listen to one of your voters (or ex-voters).



Modiji, you harp on Vikas and attack dynasty at every juncture. But you don’t do anything substantial to hound the dynasty or its cronies (apart from one or two IT raids). These speeches may entertain some of your fans, but it cannot win you elections all the time. Fence sitters or disappointed voters will ditch you. You have done enough of Vikas. Now please address your core voters. Here is what you can do :

Take the ordinance route and scrap RTE provisions which hurt the majority.

Bring in a legislation to ensure that the state does not intervene in affairs of Hindu temples.

Evict illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya refugees on a war footing.

Declare a deadline for Ram Temple construction.

Don’t become a TINA candidate. Take bold steps like you did in the case of demonetisation and win back your ex-voters. Be their first preference.

Yours Truly

A voter and well wisher.