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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."

J&K mourns loss of people-friendly officer in Pak shelling

  • PTI
  • May 10, 2025
  • 2 min read
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a condolence meeting with the family members of Raj Kumar Thapa, Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, J&K.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a condolence meeting with the family members of Raj Kumar Thapa, Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, J&K.

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer Raj Kumar Thapa, who lost his life in Pakistani shelling early Saturday, was known for his unwavering professional devotion and people-friendly approach, leaving many in the union territory mourning.


Thapa, 54, was widely respected for his unwavering professional devotion and approachable nature, a quality that deeply resonated with the people he served.


An MBBS graduate, he joined JKAS in 2001.


Thapa lost his life when a Pakistani artillery shell struck his residential quarters in the bordering district of Rajouri. He is survived by his wife, a doctor, and their two children.


The officer was posted as the Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, in March last year and played a key role in handling the situation at Badhaal village where 17 members of three families, including 13 children, died under mysterious circumstances after falling sick between December 7 and January 19.


Before his tenure in Rajouri, Thapa served as an officer on special duty (OSD) to former deputy chief minister Tara Chand from 2009 to 2014, besides holding significant roles, including mission director of the J-K Skill Development Mission and special secretary in the Labour and Employment Department.


Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the bereaved family at Roopnagar and was seen hugging his father, Durga Dass, to condole his son's death.


Tributes in

Tributes also poured in from various leaders, including Tara Chand, who hailed Thapa as a "people's officer".


"He was a highly-dedicated and competent officer, whose behaviour with the general public was matchless. He was working like a social worker, always ready to help the needy," the former deputy chief minister told PTI before leaving for Thapa's house to express his condolences to the family.


Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma praised Thapa's exemplary dedication during the Badhaal incident, declaring him "a true hero in service".


Other prominent figures, including Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, too, extended their condolences to Thapa's family.


Jawaid Iqbal, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, praised on Thapa's dedication and selfless service, saying, "His sacrifice will always be remembered with the highest regard and deepest respect."


"An insightful mind, a gifted writer, and a remarkable administrator," Jehanzeb Allaqaband, social media user,  said, terming the loss as "heartbreaking".


Ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for kin of Pak shelling victims

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in Pakistani shelling in the Union Territory.


An additional district development commissioner and 19 villagers were killed in Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu and Baramulla sectors in the past four days after Indian armed forces struck nine terrorist infrastructure targets across the border on May 7 in retaliation to last month's Pahalgam terror attack.


While 12 civilians were killed in Poonch on Wednesday, two others were killed in Uri and Poonch on Friday. Another five civilians, including a senior government officer, lost their lives in Pakistani shelling Saturday morning.


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