Jagan, sidekick Pawan opportunistic politicos

Political opportunism is a political style of aiming to increase one's political influence at any price, or a political style that involves seizing every and any opportunity to extend political influence, whenever such opportunities arise. It is also the practice of abandoning or compromising on some important political principles that were previously held, in the process of trying to increase one's political power and influence. Truly winning people over to a principled position or improving their political understanding is different from this.

In Jagan and Pawan, we are seeing such opportunism raise its ugly head now. Getting personal in politics is hitting below the belt. There could be several dark corners in one’s life, but one does not use them in politics to gain an upper hand, unless they are crimes that we are talking about. Pawan referred to Balayya's case which was shut by the police.

Once a case is closed, it means there was no evidence and, hence, Balayya cannot be held guilty, whatever may be the truth. If Pawan has some information that the police do not have, then he should go to them or seek court intervention.

Likewise, there is no case against Pawan by his ex-wives. What is Jagan's problem there? Why refer to his rival’s marriages? What kind of a trend or thought is that? Is capitalising on domestic issues the best way to beat rivals? That is, in the urge to make short-term political gains or preserve them, the appropriate relationship between the means being used and the overall goals being aimed at is overlooked. The result might well be that "short term gain" leads to "long term pain."

Thus, after opportunistic mistakes have been made and recognised, a lot of soul-searching may occur, or "a return to principles" may be advocated, so that proper relationship between people's principles and their actions is restored. But these guys do not even have the tendency to do soul-searching. In other words, the question is "how far you can go" without compromising principles or abandoning an agreed-on code of ethics. In this sense, Milton Friedman remarked: "One man's opportunism is another man's statesmanship.”

A politician might for instance argue that, although his action seems unprincipled at first sight, when placed in a broader perspective it conforms exactly to what his constituency believes in. In an act of persuasion, he aims to convince people his action is principled. Such unchecked tendencies would only lead to street violence with unbalanced fans taking to streets.

There could be some benefit of doubt, if something is said inadvertently in the heat of campaign in closing phases of elections. But this is not yet that stage nor the scenario for these juveniles to stoop to the level.

Secondly, the constituencies of these two foul-mouthed leaders are different. Those are not going to merge anytime. Their common rival is TDP, and the two, Jagan and his sidekick Pawan, are both perceived to be doing their master's bidding. Alas, we will have to bear with such characters!