The ‘largest’ democracy!
Politics has always confounded me, where ethics are given a go-by, probity is nonexistent, and principles are thrown into the wind when needed. Nitish Kumar, the 9th time Chief Minister and the 5th time defector, has queered the pitch for Indian politics, creating a precedent with survival as the only factor. The ease and elan with which he changed jerseys in the mid-game are appalling. Nonetheless, I also see a vulnerable, deeply emotional, egoistic, insecure, and inconsistent person in Nitish, for whom this defection may not be the last.
Nitish was hoping to be the PM choice of the INDI bloc and the selection of Congress chief Kharge has dashed his hopes. Tejaswi Yadav, the impatient son of Lalu, who is the deputy chief minister of Bihar, was manoeuvring to poach a few MLAs to secure a majority of his own, showing Nitish the door. It was important for Tejaswi, who is likely on the way to Tihar Jail in the ‘Land-for-Jobs,’ scam, the shadow of which is cast on the whole Lalu family.
Nitish, despite being a crafty politician jumping from one bloc to the other opposite bloc, must’ve got nervous over the damage to his party in the event of Tejaswi’s arrest rather than any deep feelings for his deputy. Nitish has remained uncorrupt, but because of his naivety, he has always been around vicious and corrupt politicians, about whom Nitish could do nothing.
Be that as it may, with Nitish and his characteristic swings being well-known, what has happened to the BJP party? In the last Bihar Assembly elections, Nitish partnered with the BJP, strongly criticising Lalu and his family over dynastic politics and corruption. He then did the unthinkable, switching sides and joining hands with Tejaswi Yadav, Lalu’s son. He repeated his trapeze act yet again yesterday, discarding the Yadav family and their party, RJD, to be back with the BJP, who was his target of attack until a week ago.
What is saddening is that the BJP, which talks of high-principled politics, has stooped low to extend support to a political chameleon like Nitish. Merely that Nitish is joining the BJP does not make him a saint. I thought the BJP would stand firm and call for early elections, with the Lok Sabha elections around the corner. Nothing such happened, with the messiah of the nation, PM Modi, sending a congratulatory message and the BJP leadership praising Nitish for his act merely because it suits them.
It is a matter of shame that voters are sold some or other ism, and after winning, the lawmakers joyfully resort to undemocratic defections. Principled politics seems dead and buried, even as our leaders go abroad on taxpayers’ money to explain the virtues of the world’s ‘largest democracy,’ which is India.
Nitish has added another chapter of travesty to Indian politics.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
