No leader like Modi

As the BJP reclaims its place on Raisina Hill, some conclusions are inescapable.

First, India has not had a leader of the stature of Narendra Modi in a very long time, certainly not after Indira Gandhi, for this before anything else is the Prime Minister's singular triumph.

Like Jawaharlal Nehru, Narendra Modi has won every election he has contested. The BJP's campaign and its architecture were built around Mr Modi and the outcome demonstrates that he delivered spectacularly.

The much-touted mahagathbandhan never really materialised. The Congress and other parties were unable to stitch up a pre-poll alliance with an undisputed leader who could match Narendra Modi stride for stride.

There were at least four prime ministerial hopefuls: Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, N Chandrababu Naidu and Mayawati.

The last three, all regional satraps, were eyeing a larger- than-life role on the national stage.

Chandrababu Naidu, who unreasonably projected himself as the glue that could bind not-so-like-minded groups, suffered a debacle on his own home turf.

K S Padmanabhan, Chennai