A new chapter

Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has secured an astounding electoral victory in Tamil Nadu. Analysts view it as a significant achievement, noting his self-belief and also the strong support from youth and women voters under the age of 30. Despite intense political criticism and the impact of the Karur tragedy, his campaign drew large crowds. His on-screen image as a “virtuous hero” is seen to have helped him connect with voters. But as the saying goes, winning is one thing; governing is another. Mr. Vijay’s real test begins now, as expectations are high for a transparent, inclusive and corruption-free administration. As he often said during his campaign, the public will now watch whether “Vijay” truly translates into “Vijayam” for the State of Tamil Nadu.

‘Kalaimamani’ Appa Ramesh,

Chennai

An undemocratic stance

The West Bengal election has delivered a historic verdict, yet Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee’s refusal to resign is a disgraceful defiance of democracy. Despite her party’s decimation and her defeat, she remains obstinate. Blaming the Election Commission of India for this loss is a hollow and desperate excuse. A mandate is the ultimate expression of the people’s will; to reject it as a “conspiracy” is to insult the electorate. True leaders must learn the basic tenets of democracy.

N. Sadhasiva Reddy,

Bengaluru