Wisdom dawns on Modi-Shah duo

Political expediency and power politics are the new norm of our country. The compromises being made by the leaderships of different political parties just to ensure their very survival or to continue their hold on power do not surprise us any longer. This is not a new norm, but has become the DNA of our political parties, both at the Centre and in States. As we close in on 2019 general elections, we can only expect more theatrics.

When Mayawati joined hands with Akhilesh Yadav, it was some surprise for us because no one would even think of such a move in Uttar Pradesh as both the parties are the front-runners in the State. Next, we saw the Congress leadership paving way for Janata Dal (S) government formation in Centre despite the latter's minority status as far as numbers are concerned.

It was a desperate sign for the BJP, but for others who understood the undercurrents and compulsions involved, it was a wise move. In fact, it projected the Congress in good light as far as the Opposition is concerned. But now comes the ultimate that sends one into splits. The dawn of wisdom on the BJP's supreme duo that friends are needed for survival is the ultimate example of supreme hypocrisy.

But, the attempt to reach out to people seems to be lacking a certain honesty, or for that matter, the political parties and erstwhile allies of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance, are wary of the sincerity of Modi-Shah jodi.

Alliance politics are nothing new to the world. Even in the past, kingdoms were made and unmade due to alliances. Huge empires were built with alliances. However, a cardinal principle in these stupendous stories was that, “kingdoms are made with armies but empires are built with alliances.”

Soon after they came to power, Modi, Shah, true to their nature, began to ride roughshod over everyone around. Friends and foes, seniors and juniors, within and outside, they did not spare anyone in the process of consolidating their own positions. They used every guile in the process of alienating people whom they thought would either be stumbling blocks on the way to their consolidation or whom the duo felt would be its competitors. Colleagues were bullied and silenced, seniors were sidelined and humiliated and allies ignored. Neither did the duo heed the advice nor has it been wise enough to retain its credibility.

Today, the Modi-Shah jodi wants to hug and hum with the same ones. It wants to be footloose with Shiv Sena once again. It wants the Akalis to get back to its fold. It does not mind kneeling down before Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. All because, it's staring at a possible political nemesis in view of disjointed forces coming together.

It is a strange spectacle to notice the two all-powerful leaders have such a tremendous capacity to unite the entire Opposition on one hand, while, on the other, they have such a penchant for turning even their own into enemies. But, they have woken up and, hence, the desperate outreach.