Pune

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday flagged what he called a growing decline in ideological politics, claiming that most parties have moved away from their founding principles and are using questionable methods to increase their strength.

In an interview with PTI, Pawar, who also leads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), said political defections have become widespread, with leaders either being tempted or compelled to change sides.

He remarked that ideological commitment has weakened significantly, with politicians willing to align with any party for personal or political gain. According to Pawar, some leaders are enticed through inducements, while others are pressured by references to ongoing investigations, coupled with assurances that agencies would be “managed” once they switch allegiance.

The deputy chief minister further alleged that the use of money and muscle power has become overt in politics. He said leaders with financial and organisational clout are exploiting these advantages, while others attempt to mobilise voters by raising caste-based issues.

Pawar also observed that candidates are no longer evaluated on their governance record or leadership performance, but on their perceived ability to win elections. He pointed to the growing reliance on surveys to measure popularity, especially ahead of elections.

He said that if such surveys indicate a strong candidate belongs to a rival party, efforts are often made to draw that person into another camp. Pawar made these remarks in the context of the upcoming civic polls in Maharashtra.

READ MORE: Nawabzada Mohammad Asif Ali shows the humble side of royalty

Taking aim at the BJP’s local leadership in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar alleged that a lack of foresight had pushed both civic bodies into a state of crisis, despite heavy expenditure over the past eight to nine years.

The NCP is a partner in the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the state. Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, are scheduled for January 15, with counting set for the following day.