There is no doubt that Venkaiah Naidu, now the BJP’s vice-presidential nominee, is ‘one who has no enemies’ (“Venkaiah Naidu is NDA pick for VP”, July 18). His cordial relations with one and all across the political spectrum, trouble-shooting and oratorical skills as well as a calm temperament are rare political virtues. However, one fails to understand why the BJP wants to relieve him from active politics. Only time will tell whether the step is a mistake or a sharp move by the BJP.
Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,
Hyderabad
With this move, the BJP may have made it clear its political intent to push hard in the south ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The step also assumes significance considering that the NDA is unlikely to get a majority in the Upper House till 2019. Mr. Naidu’s long innings in politics and his ability to maintain a good rapport with the Opposition parties should help him steal a march over the Opposition’s candidate, Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
N.J. Ravi Chander,
Bengaluru