It is observed that many politicians switch parties ahead of legislative assembly elections or parliamentary elections. The support of a politician towards any political party depends on multiple factors, certainly very respective.
In Tripura, the political tussle between politicians Sudip Roy Barman, Biplab Kumar Deb, Subal Bhowmik and Pradyot Manikya has grabbed headlines over the weeks or months now. The “turncoat” politicians are a matter of discussion among the politically aware voters.
“Leaving a party is one thing , but to join another party which is an exact opposite of the Spectrum (BJP) in terms of ideology is another. Thank god i know the difference between serving the nation and hypocrisy!”, reads a tweet by TIPRA Chairman Pradyot Manikya on the evening of 25th January 2022.
The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma was in the Indian National Congress (INC), and now a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He shifted over to the saffron party after alleged indifference among party leaders, earlier. He is also a prominent face of the Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) at the national level now.
Manipur CM Nongthombam Biren Singh has been an otherwise Congress leader. He joined the Democratic Revolutionary People’s Party in 2002, which later merged with Congress before the 2004 Assembly elections. Manipur is having the build-up to assembly elections now, the campaign for which has already gained momentum.
“Attended the flag hoisting ceremony of Shri Nahakpam Indrajit Singh, BJP candidate of Kshetrigao constituency. I’m confident that the people of Kshetrigao will elect Shri Indrajit Singh with a huge margin.”, reads a tweet by N Biren Singh, today morning, amid campaigns for the upcoming legislative assembly elections.
According to the official website of INC, the party bears true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
Politics is indeed interesting. The switch-over from one party to the other, just ahead of any elections, is also reflective of power-hungry nature of a section of the political class. While this is detrimental to democratic practices, this is also a practicality in Northeast or India at large. Period.