‘POLITICS IS NO LONGER ABOUT IDEOLOGY BUT OPPORTUNITY

‘POLITICS IS NO LONGER ABOUT IDEOLOGY BUT OPPORTUNITY

15-OCT-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------Bihar politics is currently in its most interesting phase. Assembly elections are near, but questions are now being raised about the loyalty and ideology of leaders.

A senior leader's statement—“Politics is no longer about ideology, but about opportunity. The ticket goes with the leader.”—is a topic of discussion across Bihar's political circles today.

The obsession with tickets is greater than with parties. The pace of defections during election season is higher than ever before.

Political equations are changing daily—leaders who, until yesterday, were always praising a party's policies are now joining the next party and targeting the former.

Politics is no longer about loyalty, but a “fight for nominations.”

A political analyst said—

“There are no permanent friends or enemies in Bihar politics. The possibility of getting a ticket determines new allegiances.”

From the NDA to the Grand Alliance, the story is the same everywhere.

Be it the NDA or the Grand Alliance, leaders in both camps have openly expressed their displeasure over ticket distribution.

Many old faces in the BJP and JDU are upset over not receiving tickets, while voices of rebellion are also being heard in the RJD and Congress.

In the past week, more than two dozen local leaders and contenders have changed their political home—some have left the NDA, while others have joined the Grand Alliance.

Ideology Takes a Backseat, Opportunity Forward

Many leaders who once championed the cause of "social justice" or "good governance" are now standing in opposition to that ideology.

In politics, opportunity has replaced ideals.

Leaders may not say it openly, but internally they have accepted that "politics now hinges on ticket availability, not loyalty."

Public perception is changing

This discussion is gaining momentum among voters in rural areas as well.

In areas like Ara, Sasaram, Nawada, and Samastipur, people say, "Now, leaders change parties based on ticket requirements, not the public's needs."

As a result, the public is beginning to look at a candidate's "political journey" before the candidate himself.

Voters ask, "How can someone who is not loyal to their party remain loyal to the public?"

Political parties are increasingly concerned.

The constant defections are affecting the strategies of political parties.

Seat equations are changing daily, creating confusion in candidate selection.

Meetings continue at party headquarters, but no one can deny the reality:

"Leaders are now linked to tickets, not ideology."