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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.

Unity within MVA suffers significant blow

CM Devendra Fadnavis' customary tea party on the eve of Assembly Session. | Pic: DGIPR
CM Devendra Fadnavis' customary tea party on the eve of Assembly Session. | Pic: DGIPR

Mumbai: The facade of unity within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has suffered a significant blow on the eve of the Maharashtra Legislature’s budget session. What was meant to be a show of strength against the Mahayuti government has instead exposed deep-seated mistrust and conflicting ambitions, primarily centered around the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The cracks were most visible during the customary opposition press conference and the boycott of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s tea party, where leaders from Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) were conspicuously absent, signaling their exclusion from the alliance’s core decision-making process.


The primary source of friction is the lone Rajya Sabha seat that the MVA can mathematically secure with its combined strength of roughly 50 MLAs. Sources reveal that Uddhav Thackeray has been in direct, exclusive contact with the Congress high command in Delhi to negotiate the candidacy, reportedly keeping the Sharad Pawar faction entirely out of the loop. This exclusion has sparked rumors of a shifting power dynamic within the MVA, where the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress appear to be forming a "primary bloc," leaving the veteran Pawar to navigate the political waters independently.


Adding to the internal turmoil is a sharp public disagreement within the Shiv Sena (UBT) itself. While party spokesperson Sanjay Raut has publicly advocated for giving Sharad Pawar another term in the Rajya Sabha as a gesture of alliance solidarity, he has been met with stiff resistance from within his own camp. Former minister Aaditya Thackeray has countered this stance by citing the cold arithmetic of the assembly. Aaditya argued that based on current numbers—where the Sena (UBT) holds 20 seats compared to the NCP (SP)’s 10—the claim to the seat naturally belongs to the Thackeray faction. He further remarked that Raut requires a more aggressive "companion" in the Upper House to sustain the party's offensive against the central government, hinting that the seat should go to a loyalist rather than an ally.


The timing of this internal rift is particularly delicate as Sharad Pawar struggles with health issues. The 85-year-old leader was admitted to Pune’s Ruby Hall Clinic for the second time in a fortnight on Sunday, suffering from mild dehydration and fatigue. His hospitalization has cast a shadow of uncertainty over his own plans for re-election, even as his allies debate whether to support him or field their own candidates.


The broader political landscape further complicates the MVA's predicament. With the Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and the NCP—holding a dominant majority, they are expected to sweep six of the seven Rajya Sabha seats. The MVA’s inability to settle on a single candidate for the seventh seat not only threatens their chances of an unopposed victory but also provides the ruling coalition with an opportunity to exploit these growing divisions. As the budget session begins, the MVA faces the daunting task of proving that it is still a cohesive unit, or risk entering the 2026 electoral cycle as a house divided.

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