Letters to The Editor — September 23, 2026
Letters to the editor express concern over the BJP's alleged "divide and rule" tactics against regional parties across India and criticize the Election Commission's perceived bias. Another letter discusses M.K. Stalin's proposed protest against a new Secretariat in Chennai, citing environmental, financial, and social concerns for fishermen.
Why it matters
These letters highlight significant political tensions and democratic concerns in India, particularly regarding federalism and the integrity of electoral processes, alongside local governance issues impacting communities and public finances.
Recent developments and moves by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to effect a vertical split in the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal are a cause for concern. The strategies of the BJP in Maharashtra and West Bengal are similar. The doctrine is “divide and rule”. Strong regional parties have fallen victim to divisive tactics, with local disgruntled leaders being lured, threatened or influenced to rise up against their leadership and move to support BJP governments, through inducements and threats. A pliable Election Commission seems to play a scripted role in recognising parties, allotting symbols and using its enormous powers to enforce poll conduct, more often selectively, in favour of the BJP. Now, these predatory moves are likely to follow against the JD(U) in Bihar, the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and the Congress in Karnataka. These developments sound the death knell for democracy.
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