Dear Shri Advaniji: You have been graceful and gracious in defeat setting the stage for increased civility in our political discourse. You are planning to represent a patriotic and constructive opposition — a prerequisite for a healthy democracy. You and your colleagues are also grappling with the “electability” problem of the BJP. Is your party condemned to “almost win” but keep falling short of actually winning? In this context, here are some ideas from someone who may be more of a genuine well-wisher than the hysterical fanatics who claim to be so.

First, please keep the faith with the word “constructive”. Do not use any reason to try and vote out the present government. Vote against them only when you disagree on matters of principle. Your party’s opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal treaty was cynical, misplaced and, to many

observers, a tad unpatriotic. Everyone understood the blind opposition of the Left parties to improved Indo-US relations. Even your strongest supporters had to concede in private that your party’s position was nothing but petty politics with very dubious short-term gains in mind. Putting at risk a treaty which future American presidents and legislatures may not have approved, your party’s brinkmanship could have resulted in a unique opportunity being missed by our country. Similarly, on economic issues like VAT reform, it was unfortunate that in opposition your party took positions at variance with the position you folks held while in government.

On terrorism and security, I believe that you would have won the hearts of the electorate if, instead of criticising the government of the day, you had boldly announced solidarity and support for them. “We are in this together and if the enemies of our nation think that they can divide us, they are mistaken” would have been a brilliant position to take. It would not only have been constructive but would in all probability have increased your party’s popularity and electoral chances.

... contd.