Opportunistic politics weakens democracy

The exodus of loyal leaders continues in the Congress, the new names include Congress spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh, Maharashtra’s responsible and former Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam, former Bihar Congress President Anil Sharma, marksman boxer Vijender, Acharya Pramod Krishnam, who Have said bye-bye to Congress. All of them have cited Congress being issue-less, Modi’s agenda of developed India, Rahul Gandhi’s immature politics and Congress being anti-Sanatan as the reasons for their exodus from the party. Whatever one may say, this is an example of opportunism in politics, such increasing trend is worrying. The anomaly and irony of defection in Indian politics has been seen continuously since independence. The images of political defeat in the last seven and a half decades of Indian democracy have been exposed time and again. The increasing number of defections has raised many questions. Till yesterday, the leaders who used to be tainted in the opposition, after joining the ruling party, what happens that their taint does not remain. The situation of changing loyalties in politics is making the common citizens worried that what happens when a tainted leader takes a dip in the stream of power and is declared washed up.

Every time with the announcement of elections, the game of ‘Aayaram-Gayaram’ starts among the political parties. There is a competition to include influential leaders of different parties in their party, sometimes one party wins and sometimes the other party wins. Why do all celebrities run towards power? Be it a former judge, former officer, actor or sportsperson, many have been trying their future in politics. If people like Vijender, Gaurav or Anil Sharma like the ideology of BJP, then the question is also why did they stay in Congress for the last five years? There is no dearth of such leaders who were candidates on the election symbol of one party in the assembly elections held at the end of last year and are now seen contesting on the election symbol of another party. It is noteworthy that around thirty politicians from different parties who have joined BJP these days include leaders of Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, TMC, TDP, SP and YSR Congress. Is this a result of BJP’s chances of a definite victory or the fear of action by central agencies? Certainly this situation cannot be considered auspicious for the health of any democracy.

There has been a discussion on electoral reforms in the country for a long time, but the discussion should also be on how to stop the increasing trend of defection. Policy and principles should be prominent in politics and politicians, but not doing so is a major anomaly of democracy. The thinking that everything is fair in politics and the policy of selfishness is unfortunate. Election time is the time for every politician to choose his interest and self-interest, but the question of the interest of democracy becomes very secondary for him. Many restrictions are imposed in elections due to the code of conduct, but in politics there is no provision to control defection, whereas this should be a priority for the liveliness and sanctity of democracy. The taste of power is such that no politician remains untouched by it. That is why there is a lot of party changing these days. It is another matter that there is a competition among most of the leaders to join BJP. Why do the leaders who were targeting BJP and cursing it at the top of their lungs a day ago suddenly start liking BJP so much? BJP should also think that whenever this opportunistic leader does not suit them, will they say bye-bye to him too? BJP should also see to what extent it is appropriate to give ticket to someone who joined the party a few hours ago, ignoring the loyal workers of the party. Parties will have to consider whether the meaning of politics is only to win elections or do they want to keep politics healthy by giving opportunities to workers dedicated to ideology. In democracy, political parties and leaders have taken the responsibility of giving voice to the people, but no party or leader is fulfilling this responsibility honestly. “All parties and leaders are the same”, this murmur is clearly heard among the public even without paying attention. Politicians are like mercury, if we try to put a finger on it we will find nothing beneath it. All parties are pursuing selfish policies, not politics.

BJP has to achieve its target of crossing 400, for this it is making all kinds of compromises and is also giving place to tainted leaders in its party. The crimes of such leaders are also being covered up. The irony is that changing political allegiance has proved to be a relief for these leaders. The reason is that the crime cases related to these leaders have been put on hold. While it is argued that the cases have not been closed, investigation and action will be taken if necessary. Which confirms the allegations of the opposition that this action has been taken as a form of political obstinacy and insistence. This is the reason why the decision to change party is considered a way of relief. In such a situation, it is natural for a question to arise in the mind of the common man that why do the investigating agencies suddenly become inactive? Why does the court have to say about an agency that such and such an agency is a parrot in a cage and does the bidding of the owner. A recent report shows the logic of all such allegations of the opposition. In which it is said that after 25 opposition leaders who were facing investigation on corruption charges after 2014, 23 of them have got relief after joining the ruling party. Of these, three cases have been closed and the investigation of twenty is pending. What is the guarantee that such opportunistic leaders will not join any new party again? If good people come into politics only to get positions then what should it be considered? There are also well-known personalities who have set examples here today and there tomorrow. Such celebrities are rewarded with tickets as soon as they join the party.

Political parties must consider this huge discrepancy and opportunism as to who is coming to the party and with what intention. There are many examples of famous people entering politics, getting tickets and even winning elections. After that he could not connect with the public and his ticket was canceled in the next election. Healthy politics requires a leadership that is fair, honest, capable, strong, clear and aiming at the common good. But giving place to selfish, incompetent and tainted leaders in any party is a bad stain on the strength and healthy politics of that party. The irony is that in a democracy, heads count, not brains. Our democracy suffers the consequences of this, and has been suffering. More heads are coming, not brains. There are more masks of caste, religion, selfishness and class, less faces of humanity. That is why politics is becoming an arena of opportunism.

– Lalit Garg

Writer, Journalist, Columnist