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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.

MNS: Steamless engine in yard

Mumbai: When Swararaj Shrikant Thackeray, or Raj, launched the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) with fanfare 20 years ago, there was widespread optimism that his ‘steam engine’ symbol would travel far in politics, trigger realignments and perhaps emerge as a viable alternative in Maharashtra.


Raj’s dramatic break from his illustrious mentor and uncle, the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray, and a split from cousin Uddhav Thackeray created more than ripples — it unleashed a wave of expectations. After all, compared with the soft-spoken Uddhav, he was a firebrand orator with a sharp political instinct.


Two decades on, the MNS is jostling for relevance - much like a commuter trying to board an overcrowded local at Dadar - in a formidable, competitive and unforgiving political landscape. The ‘steam engine’, barely having had a steamy roll, has lost much of its early sting.


Political ‘siding’

Albeit marginalised but still counted as relevant, Raj, now 57, is attempting a reset of goals - his recent speeches at Raigad Fort and in Mumbai signal an effort to craft a fresh political blueprint.


The first signs of this emerged in mid-2025, when Raj and Uddhav buried the hatchet after over two decades of estrangement. The Thackeray cousins joined hands for the January 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.


Yet, as debates continue over who really gained from the alliance, the outcome was clear: the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ceded ground to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti, which captured the BMC - ending the nearly three-decade-long Shiv Sena rule over the civic body.


Undeterred, Raj is building up the MNS and readying to embrace a changed political and social landscape, where a new generation of voters - Gen Z and even Gen Alpha - shape electoral outcomes, driven by aspirations and ambitions.


‘Twenty years ago, when the Marathi voice was fading, the MNS sparked an awakening through agitations and elections,’ Raj said last week, reminding how the party championed regional identity.


Poor Record

Nevertheless, the MNS’ electoral record highlights its shrinking political fortunes - it peaked in the 2009 Assembly elections, when it won 13 of 288 seats. Thereafter, the slide was steep and consistent - no seats in 2014, a solitary MLA in 2019, and virtual insignificance by 2024. The MNS has never won a Lok Sabha seat.


Several factors were responsible for this - Raj’s perceived ideological inconsistency; his pro- and anti-BJP political ding-dongs blurred the party’s identity; its core plank overlapped with that of the Shiv Sena, limiting options for supporters. His aggressive rhetoric, particularly targeting North Indians in earlier years and later Muslims, alienated potential allies and voters, while a missing organisational structure beyond a few urban pockets in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik left the party stunted.

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