Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Correcting a mistake” (March 25). The BJP is living up to its image of being a party with a difference under the guidance of Mr Narendra Modi. The party understands the pulse of the people. It is heartening that the party’s respect for strong public opinion is supported by voices from within.
The young and the first-time voters are staunch BJP supporters who are attracted by the development agenda of Mr Modi. Moreover, women of India, who were dismissive of the UPA’s policies, are increasingly supportive of the BJP’s agenda. The BJP cannot distance itself from youngsters and women who are its solid support base.
Therefore, the party can ill-afford to have in its wings people like Mr Pramod Muthalik, who is known to spew venom at sections of the society at the drop of a hat. His Sri Ram Sene’s attack on women in a Mangalore pub was met with strong resentment all over India. Such a man should not have been taken into the BJP in the first place.
Obviously, the Karnataka unit of the party kept the central leadership in the dark when it inducted Mr Muthalik with much fanfare. The outrage forced the central party leaders to intervene and do fire-fighting. Now that Mr Muthalik has been shown the door, the matter has come to a rest.