Mumbai, June 12: Following the significant defeat of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Bengal, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has claimed that Indian politics has devolved into a mere business of personal gain.
In an editorial published in their mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, the party expressed concern over the increasing trend of political defections. It stated that voters choose candidates based on party symbols and ideologies, expecting genuine representation. However, opportunistic leaders, driven by self-interest, frequently switch parties for personal advantage. These leaders, much like characters in the nursery rhyme ‘Hop Along, Little Pumpkin’, leap from one party to another, often reaching Delhi.
The editorial compared the emergence of these unstable leaders to the development of various grape and mango varieties, highlighting a new breed exemplified by ‘Sayoni Ghosh’.
Many are pondering how to deal with leaders like Ghosh. During her campaign, she established a reputation with her sharp and passionate speeches, crafting an image of ‘Mini-Mamata’ while targeting the BJP at every rally and viewing Mamata Banerjee as a maternal figure. As rifts began to form among TMC MPs, few anticipated that Ghosh would be among those defecting.
As circumstances shifted within Mamata’s camp, Ghosh abandoned her “mother-like” leader and the TMC to join the BJP. Although the defecting TMC MPs have temporarily formed an independent group, they are expected to align with the BJP soon.
The editorial recalled how AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha faced backlash for switching to the BJP, a move that Ghosh had condemned, expressing disappointment over the loss of loyalty and ethics in modern politics. When asked if she would ever join the BJP, Ghosh had angrily asserted, “I am Ghosh, not Chadha, who can change sides wearing shorts.” Ironically, she has now become just like those she criticized, shedding her integrity to join the ranks of those who dance to the ruling party’s tune.
Shiv Sena, under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, remarked that rampant ambition and betrayal transform leaders into “baingan on a platter,” or turncoats.
The editorial stated, “This is no longer just a metaphor; it has become the bitter reality of contemporary Indian politics. Defectors are like baingan, easily mixed into any dish being cooked on the stove, whether it’s bharta or bhaji; they lack a distinct flavor.”
It noted a surge of such turncoat leaders in Maharashtra’s political landscape, which is being actively promoted. “Sayoni Ghosh’s case serves as an excellent case study. These ‘baingan on a platter’ leaders change colors faster than chameleons. This trend has become so prevalent that it could warrant PhD research. The rise of opportunistic politics indicates a serious decline in the country’s political integrity and ideology.”
The editorial concluded, “Ultimately, these leaders have become cheap and readily available. They possess neither strength nor a unique identity; under political pressure, they wilt and fade. Trust in them is no longer viable.”
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