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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

From Ideology to Electability

BJP is blending ideology with pragmatism, elevating leaders from rival parties to power New Delhi: The growing tendency of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to elevate leaders from other parties to the position of Chief Minister represents a shift, one that reflects not only a recalibration of the party's strategy but also the evolving character of Indian politics itself. Once known primarily as a cadre-based party anchored firmly in ideological commitment, the BJP has entered a phase where...

From Ideology to Electability

BJP is blending ideology with pragmatism, elevating leaders from rival parties to power New Delhi: The growing tendency of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to elevate leaders from other parties to the position of Chief Minister represents a shift, one that reflects not only a recalibration of the party's strategy but also the evolving character of Indian politics itself. Once known primarily as a cadre-based party anchored firmly in ideological commitment, the BJP has entered a phase where political pragmatism is accorded equal importance alongside ideology. The clearest evidence of this transformation lies in the rising number of leaders who, after crossing over from other parties, have not only found space within the BJP but have gone on to occupy the highest offices of power. Names such as Basavaraj Bommai in Karnataka, Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam, and most recently Samrat Choudhary in Bihar have come to embody this trend. Each of these leaders had prior political affiliations outside the BJP, yet after joining the party, their stature and responsibilities have grown significantly. This is not an ad hoc development, but the outcome of a carefully crafted, multi-layered strategy. At the heart of this strategy lies a decisive emphasis on "winning ability." The BJP is no longer determining leadership solely on the basis of ideological loyalty, instead, it is prioritising individuals who possess electoral appeal, grassroots influence, and the capacity to navigate complex social equations. This explains why Himanta Biswa Sarma rose swiftly within the BJP to become Chief Minister and one of the party's most influential figures in the Northeast, who spent nearly two decades in the Congress. Similarly, leaders like Pema Khandu in Arunachal Pradesh, N. Biren Singh in Manipur, and Manik Saha in Tripura underscore the party's willingness to rely on strong local faces to expand its footprint in the Northeast, even if those leaders once belonged to the Congress. In Uttar Pradesh, the elevation of Brajesh Pathak, a former Bahujan Samaj Party leader, to the post of Deputy Chief Minister reflects a similar attempt to balance social equations. Key Driver One key driver of this approach is the relative absence of strong indigenous leadership in several states. In regions where the BJP historically lacked widely accepted local faces, turning to experienced leaders from other parties has proven to be a pragmatic solution. This marks a shift away from ideological rigidity toward an acceptance of political realities. A second critical factor is the need to manage caste and regional equations. Social structures continue to play a decisive role in Indian elections, and political success often hinges on aligning with these dynamics. In Bihar, the elevation of Samrat Choudhary is widely seen as an attempt to consolidate OBC/Kurmi support, while in Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai's leadership aligns with the influence of the Lingayat community. The third dimension of this strategy is the systematic weakening of the opposition. By inducting influential leaders from rival parties and assigning them significant roles, the BJP not only strengthens its own ranks but also erodes the organizational capacity of its competitors. The induction of leaders such as Jyotiraditya Scindia, Narayan Rane, R. P. N. Singh, and Jitin Prasada, all of whom have been entrusted with key responsibilities in government and party structures, illustrates this approach. Two Levels The BJP's model now appears to function on two distinct levels: a strong and centralized leadership at the top, and influential local faces at the state level. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the central command remains cohesive and firmly in control, while states are led by individuals capable of delivering electoral victories, irrespective of their political past. The rise of Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal further exemplifies this strategy. Once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari is now one of the BJP's principal faces in the state, forming a cornerstone of the party's expansion efforts. The message is unmistakable clear that the opportunities within the BJP are no longer confined to its traditional cadre. Any leader with mass appeal and capability can aspire to the top. This shift also reflects the party's organisational confidence. The BJP believes its institutional structure is robust enough to quickly integrate leaders from outside and align them with its broader objectives. This has enabled a blend of ideological flexibility and political pragmatism. That said, the strategy is not without its internal contradictions. For long-time party workers, the rapid rise of leaders from outside may send mixed signals, potentially creating tensions within the cadre. Managing this balance will be a critical test for the party in the years ahead. Even so, in a broader sense, the BJP's approach represents a fusion of ideology and pragmatism. Its goals are clear that secure electoral victories, expand rapidly into new regions, and systematically weaken the opposition.

Lion Loss

It is shocking that India, the proud custodian of the world’s last population of Asiatic lions, is witnessing such a high toll of its most iconic predators. Between August 2023 and July 2025, Gujarat has recorded a staggering 307 lion deaths. The numbers ought to rouse strong alarm rather than resignation.


The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is a conservation success story of sorts. Once ranging across the Middle East and India, their population has dwindled to a single pocket of 891 individuals in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas, as per the 2025 census. For decades, concerted efforts by the Indian government and local authorities have stabilized their numbers. Yet, the recent mortality figures expose a worrying fault line in the conservation strategy.


The Gujarat government claims to have spent Rs. 37.35 crore over the past two years on mitigating unnatural deaths. This money financed treatment centres, ambulance services, veterinary doctors, radio-collaring of lions and infrastructure such as speed breakers and signboards in forested areas. Furthermore, parapet walls were constructed to cover open wells, and fences installed along railway tracks near the sanctuary. Despite this, the unnatural death toll remains disturbingly high.


Twenty lions plummeted into uncovered wells while nine others drowned in water bodies; five were crushed by trains, and three electrocuted. Road accidents and natural calamities accounted for the rest. These are not acts of fate but consequences of poorly integrated conservation policies and infrastructural neglect.


As human settlements and infrastructure expand relentlessly, wildlife habitats shrink and fragment. Roads, railways, and agricultural development encroach ever closer upon the Gir sanctuary. Yet the measures implemented remain piecemeal, reactive rather than systemic.


More than an issue of policy execution, the problem lies in the lack of a holistic strategy that anticipates human-wildlife conflict rather than merely responding to its aftermath. How many open wells near forest areas remain unprotected? How effective are the forest patrols in ensuring adherence to safety protocols? Is the state doing enough to prevent railway deaths, perhaps by constructing underpasses or overpasses for wildlife?


The Gir lions are a symbol of national pride and tourism draw, yet their safety seems subordinate to local economic or political interests. Conservationists argue for stronger regulation, greater investment in ecological infrastructure and tighter enforcement of existing laws. But those solutions demand long-term vision.


In truth, India’s Asiatic lions occupy a precarious middle ground between preservation and peril. Their numbers may have increased compared to the nadir of the 20th century, but the growing unnatural death toll points to systemic failures. Conservation requires a coherent strategy that addresses habitat connectivity, wildlife crossings and greater public awareness.


Unless Gujarat and the central government recalibrate their approach, the Asiatic lion could continue to edge towards vulnerability. For a species that once roamed the vast plains of Asia, being confined to a shrinking patch of forest only to perish in wells and under trains is a tragic epitaph in the making.


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