Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Web of alliances” (March 16). One does not need rocket science to say that the BJP’s 3-0 loss in three lok Sabha by-polls — Gorakhpur and Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Araria in Bihar — is an alarm bell for the saffron party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the general elections in 2019.
The result establishes the power of alliances between really strong parties. The RJD and the JDU proved this in Bihar before they fought and went their separate ways — also highlighting the basic problem with such partnerships. It also proves that worries about rigged EVMs are exaggerated and that the Indian democratic process is fairly strong. The 2019 lok Sabha election may not be a cakewalk for the BJP.