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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Ideology, Illusion, and the Politics of Power

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi greets supporters during a roadshow ahead of the Kerala assembly polls, in Kozhikode district on Tuesday. | Pic: PTI New Delhi:  At a critical electoral juncture in Kerala, the political contest being waged in the name of ideology appears less about public welfare and more like a renewed struggle for the division of power. Kerala's electoral battle exposes contradictions between ideology and alliances, as BJP, Congress, and Left trade...

Ideology, Illusion, and the Politics of Power

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi greets supporters during a roadshow ahead of the Kerala assembly polls, in Kozhikode district on Tuesday. | Pic: PTI New Delhi:  At a critical electoral juncture in Kerala, the political contest being waged in the name of ideology appears less about public welfare and more like a renewed struggle for the division of power. Kerala's electoral battle exposes contradictions between ideology and alliances, as BJP, Congress, and Left trade accusations while prioritizing power, leaving voters questioning credibility, governance plans, and commitment to justice.   At the national level, the Congress and the Left position themselves as opponents of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yet before the public, they often appear equally eager to undercut one another. In Parliament, they join hands to bring no-confidence motions and accuse the government of misusing investigative agencies. However, at the state level, this coordination is conspicuously absent. In Kerala, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged a nexus between the CPI(M) and the SDPI, even hinting at tacit understandings between the BJP and the Left. Meanwhile, LDF Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed these claims as "entirely baseless."   This persistent friction reinforces the impression that ideology has become largely symbolic, while the real contest revolves around consolidating vote banks and securing seats. The Left, invoking the language of "pragmatic alliances," signals readiness to align with the Congress at the national level. Yet in Kerala, it faces accusations of straying from its foundational principles, even as it projects itself as the principal alternative to the BJP.   Conspiracy factor Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly asserted in his campaign rallies that this election is a contest between two ideologies-the Left and the UDF. Yet, he claims, for the first time there is an "unprecedented partnership" emerging between the Left and the BJP. He alleges that the CPI(M) can be easily controlled by the BJP, whereas the Congress-led UDF would not play into its hands. Such assertions risk creating the impression that ideological confrontation has now given way to a politics of expedient compromises.   On the other hand, CM Pinarayi Vijayan firmly maintains that his party neither seeks support from the SDPI nor engages in any covert understanding with communal forces. He portrays the Left Democratic Front as a formation grounded in "clear ideological principles" and resolutely opposed to communal politics. The contradiction here is striking that just as the BJP accuses the Congress and the Left of collusion, the Congress and the Left, in turn, level similar charges of "compromise" against each other.   Confused Electorate In Kerala's electoral theatre, PM Modi has branded both the UDF and the LDF as "each other's B team," while projecting the BJP as the only genuine "A team." His argument rests on the claim that the state has, for decades, been trapped between two traditional power blocs, one corrupt and the other allegedly even more so. He contends that both alliances have deceived the public through vote-bank politics, whereas the BJP now promises to "expose" their corruption and deliver "justice."   The larger question remains, when the Left and the Congress join hands in Parliament to oppose the BJP, is their unity rooted in a principled stand against the ruling party BJP/NDA, or is it merely political theatre calibrated for electoral convenience? If both claim to be ideologically committed formations, what justifies their readiness to confront each other in the states and often aggressively over vote banks?   Real Issues At the national level, the Left often raises its voice on substantive constitutional and economic questions; corruption, public debt, privatization, and decentralization. Yet, in the heat of elections, these very debates are reduced to the arithmetic of vote banks and seat shares. The BJP, as the ruling party, seeks to anchor its campaign in development metrics, flagship projects like the Vizhinjam Port, and symbolic initiatives such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, presenting them as tangible achievements before the electorate. The opposition, in turn, attempts to recast these same initiatives as narratives of "debt" and "plunder."

Varanasi: A Journey That Touches the Soul

A visit to culturally rich Varanasi brought discoveries—food, history, rituals—but beyond all of it, the city touched something deeper within us.

Varanasi had long been on my wish list—one of those places my heart wanted to revisit, this time with my family. When I mentioned it at home, my daughter’s eyes lit up, and soon the three of us decided on a winter trip. January is one of the best months to experience the city, so on the 15th, we set off, wrapped in crisp winter air and a calm, peaceful mood.


With nearly 25 years in the tourism industry, planning the trip felt effortless. We chose a comfortable 3-star hotel near the Ganga, complete with a warm in-house restaurant for hearty breakfasts. I contacted our trusted guide, Sanmegh, who readily agreed to join us. A good local guide is invaluable in a city as culturally rich as Varanasi, especially since my last visit was years ago—before the Kashi Vishwanath reconstruction and the post-COVID transformations. This time, I wanted to experience the city more deeply, and with Sanmegh’s insight, we rediscovered Varanasi in its full spiritual splendour.


Varanasi—also known as Banaras or Kashi—is one of the world’s oldest living cities. Resting on the sacred Ganga, its history spans thousands of years, with scriptures mentioning Kashi as early as the first millennium BCE. Nearby lies Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, marked by Ashoka’s Lion Capital. The city’s spiritual identity deepened in the 8th century when Adi Shankaracharya formalised Shiva worship here. Over time, Varanasi grew into a centre of the Bhakti movement, home to saints like Kabir, Ravidas, and Tulsidas.


The ghats of Varanasi reveal life’s deepest truths. Dashashwamedh, Panchganga, Harishchandra, and above all Manikarnika—the eternal cremation ghat—reflect the fragile beauty of existence. It is believed that Lord Shiva blesses the departed here, granting them moksha, or liberation. Standing there, watching the rituals unfold, you become aware of life’s impermanence and the quiet truth that returning to nature is our final, peaceful chapter.


The city glows with countless temples—Kashi Vishwanath, Sankat Mochan, the Durga Temple, and many hidden gems tucked into narrow lanes. We visited the mysterious 40-foot-deep Pita Maheshwar Linga, the legendary Chandrakoop (the Well of Death), the powerful Vrieshwar Temple, the sacred Lolark Kund, and even saw the rare northward flow of the Ganga. Varanasi was also home to Maharshi Patanjali, the father of yoga and Ayurveda, making it a wellspring of ancient Indian knowledge. Even today, the 750-year-old Sapt Rishi Aarti continues—an unbroken chain of devotion.


Our five to six days in Varanasi were filled with discoveries—food, culture, history, rituals, stories—but beyond all of it, the city touched something deeper within us. Varanasi makes you meet yourself. Even amid thousands, there were moments when silence felt louder than the crowd. Walking past Manikarnika Ghat reminded us that life is both precious and temporary. At the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, we felt God’s presence—quiet yet powerful. Varanasi shows that whether rich or poor, everyone comes here seeking peace, meaning, and liberation.


Standing by the Ganga, watching her calm and dignified flow, we realised that life is beautiful—and that even its ending is just another gentle transition.


Banaras also delighted us with its flavours. The city’s mostly vegetarian street food is full of warmth—kachori with chana sabzi, golgappa, malai toast, palak patta chaat, samosa chaat, tamatar chaat, aloo tikki, chuda muttar, and every kind of paratha. Sweet lovers are spoilt with malaiyo, laal peda, jalebi-rabri, Banarasi lassi, thandai, kullad chai, and of course, the iconic Banarasi paan. We also indulged in shopping—pure Banarasi silk sarees, beautiful handicrafts, and metalwork from Thatheri Bazar and Dalmandi added to the experience.


Another unique tradition here is bhang, offered as prasad to Lord Shiva. Symbolising purity and surrender, bhang thandai is especially famous and deeply woven into the city’s spiritual culture.


Varanasi is where the past and present walk hand in hand. It teaches you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with life’s deeper purpose. This journey brought us closer to ourselves, to our beliefs, and to the truths that shape our lives.


One of my dreams was to take my daughter to Varanasi and show her the sacred places that form the foundation of our culture. I believe the next generation must understand their spiritual roots. This trip was my gift to her after her 12th standard. Watching her absorb the stories, rituals, and history filled my heart. She returned with a deeper connection to our heritage—something no classroom or textbook can teach.


And that is why Varanasi is not just a destination.


It is an experience—a blessing—that stays with you forever.

 

(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)

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