Why do political leaders defect or stay? Look beyond obvious answers of ideology, money, power

What makes politicians stay loyal to a party or leave it? Indian politics wouldn’t be a fraction as fascinating as it is if it did not defy any idea that looks obvious or an answer that begins with ‘of course’. Watch this week’s #NationalInterest with ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta.
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[@maverick193]

At this point The Print aced the art of coming up with some classic thumbnails for their videos.

[@dukhi_aatma372]

A strong ideological base, and an unwavering commitment to the same - no matter the circumstances, is a glue that holds a party together. Both Communists and the BJP have it. Congress, on the other hand, is a confused lot and is on a roller coaster ride of ideologies. It started well as a liberal centrist but soon drifted towards far-left ideology.

[@karatekid7640]

Let's not pretend Congress have any ideology left in it except its islamo-fascist mentality.

[@sujithkumar2041]

That’s what’s called intoxication

[@aritrodasgupta2019]

Very well explained.

[@theashwaniverma]

And so-called socialists don't have belief in ideology, they are just opportunistic people minting votes out of social & economic vulnerabilities of masses.

[@rajendervallapureddy1564]

Congress is not formed on any ideology but with lust for power. That is why you will see so many leaving Congress when not in power.

[@ranjitinamdar]

Our concept (RSS/Saorkar) of nation is civilizational going far beyond Modi or even BJP. Most of the original BJP members believe in that. We also believe that Hindus suffered a great deal due to internal divisions. That is a major binding glue which works to a large extent (not 💯 of course)

[@ShubhamTiwari-mu8do]

It is not only ideology but core belief from a cultural, civilizational and religious belief. The ideology and culture has it's roots in India and started from here. Instead communist ideology is not original from this land

[@Al-Pacca]

The background soundtrack for this episode of National Interest can be "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash.

[@aryaaswale7316]

on point

[@gowthamanjaiganesh3210]

I wouldnt be surprised if DK shivkumar ji joins BJP with 30 to 40 mlas from Congress in Karnataka after seeing defection of Ashok Chavan to BJP.

[@daniyalbbd5281]

He is already a BJP agent

[@krisgopi_8]

That means they all fooling you people and voters from both sides.

[@revantharyan]

Wonderful analysis sir other journalists lazily say it's just for money and power your points completely decimate those.

[@sankalp6872]

Even in life, we prioritize job security. Congress is the North Korea of the Gandhi family. SG did everything except naming the real culprit, the INSPIRING LEADERSHIP OF 2 TIME DIRECT LOSER (Likely 3) - Rahul Gandhi. Without clarity and conviction, a leader becomes discredited.

[@12345614489]

I am part of Modi’s family

[@mg.f.9023]

You mean you are ‘andhbhakt’

[@Avinashm7]

You are part of 23 crore people lol

[@sankalp6872]

@@mg.f.9023 Namazi thinks his "mocking" will make a difference. Nobody needs your validation Namazi.

[@goodsong_views]

Can you tell him to do something about tourist safety?

[@fly463]

​@@goodsong_views he is already doing it. That's making India grow. India won't become safe enough for tourists if it doesn't develop for the next 15-20 years continuously. Modi's BJP has completed the base for takeoff but there will be some problems in between obviously cause “nothing ever goes 100% according to plan” 😉.

[@kaushiksivakumar]

It is not just a simplistic ideology comment. It is also about ideology being rooted in dharma - that India is not just a nation state, it is a civilizational state. And its inhabitants are bound not by political boundaries but by a culture that is profound and pristine. So, this way of life gets representation from the BJP. It reflects what a common man thinks and feels at the core of his belief system. You cannot compare that to the communists who essentially believe in anarchy and revolution. Hence while their party didn’t splinter, it ceased to exist.

[@PanakaluPoonakam]

Correct. Congress and Left don't understand the nature of India. Unlike US, India is NOT a constitutional state. Its a civilizational state. Most of Indians don't even know that our constitution "claims" to be secular. People are just naturally secular. They are NOT secular because they've learnt from NCERT textbooks that our constitution is secular and we are supposed to be so.

[@ryujiaisaka8791]

Man i always see this dharma argument somewhere sprinkled in, i am curious how are people of newer generations getting into dharma/what it is exactly that we are doing to bring people to know about our history or culture, we have such a vast range of mythological gods and stories that are interesting yet no one in my generation ( college student atm) or younger talks about it?. Our myths and legends never got the chance to be modernized, at this point I know more about the Greek gods and goddesses and their escapades compared to my own simply because of their prevalence in Media. I feel like we hold are gods so close and are so thin skinned that we do not allow writers the creative license to make something interesting that's just not the same Mahabharata or ramanyana story which no one bats an eye on today. It is such a shame that cultures of countries like japan or china and their myths are popular here than our own. Think about Maa Durga for second, without the god part, she is a ten handed evil slaying lion riding badass character and the best depictions of what we have of her are old stories or films. Just felt like talking about it, wished people were more into the cool stuff our gods did, that's all.

[@tiatemsugyi5775]

@@ryujiaisaka8791hear you loud and clear my man. Peace

[@knm1819]

Excellent!!!!

[@mg.f.9023]

Nirma ‘Washing powder’ in big demand among corrupt politicians 😅

[@qwertyca]

I.N.D.I.A. ke gande naale mein rehne se achhaa hai washing machine se dhulnaa.

[@sankalp6872]

Nirma Washing Powder is out of business. Finding a clean and non-corrupt politician is like finding a needle in a haystack. BJP doesn't take just anybody. They only take the ones with relevance and mass appeal.

[@mayanksingh0044]

U definitely doesn't know anything about probes in India especially in corruption cases, even of u r poor and has no money and pure like a devta still u would be arrested and denied bail as "investigations" ensue and if u have some business or property no matter how small or parchoon ki dukaan type it would be freezed and treated as a crime scene. How long you would stay in In jail??? Depends on court but u can be sure of 4 to 5 yrs atleast, all while u sit in jail with everything freezen. If u had a job then u r already fired, when u come back as a freeman u would have lost everything Is the corruption law draconian? Yes? So as many other laws in India. If tomorrow Congress comes to power then they would have this washing machine. Like earlier CBI was a caged parrot thing during Congress 2.0.

[@FloraFauna321]

The political glue that keeps leaders stay has three ingredients : 1. A sharp uncompromising ideology demonstrated by leadership (imperative). The ideology must be sharp enough to withstand alternative interpretations by potential defectors 2. Protection from risks - from others and own past actions (again imperative) 3. Potential opportunities for future growth (optional)

[@sankalp6872]

Revanth Reddy moved from ABVP to TDP to INC. Even his journey was for power. His success was only because of pragmatic choices. The likes of Revanth Reddy, Himanta, and Ajit Pawar do NOT need our validation. They have won elections and clearly know what they are doing.

[@mitulc24rocks]

Brilliant

[@sanjaypradahan4703]

Because constitution and constitutional power can work without people. Party is not country and when country first people cross of course setting political discourse achieve power and money.

[@nandanrajeev2452]

Parties are accountable to the people and need to maintain their identity. DMK is questioning the idea of India, has issued degradatory statements against Hindi speakers and claimed the Hindu religion is like plague and dengue. In this age of social media all that goes to the masses. It would be highly difficult for northern allies of the congress to be in the same platform as the DMK.

[@RVRao-x5p]

Wery well done report..superb Sie, thanks

[@HeavenRacer422]

Ideology+leadership+power

[@eswarnagaraj966]

Last one minute summing up.....just fantastic ❤

[@wisdomhighschool9975]

You do CTC on 4% Q3 23 Growth,on 20% Q1 22 Growth saying that hey are relatively very low growth,Why don't you do a CTC on Record 8.4% Quarterly GDP Growth, 3 Large Semiconductor Plants in Gujarat and Assam ?? Is your Agenda and propaganda aligned with the corrupt Political Families of the country??

[@kakun63]

are agenda biagad jaega

[@Ravi-jt6jt]

When modi said Congress Mukt Bharat in 2014 , No one took that seriously.

[@aneervaankundu]

Lol 😂😂 it appears you are the only one who did not take that seriously... for so many years Congress ta destroyed our country and fools like you are mentally incompetent to understand this.

[@aafaqkhan7438]

Because the journalist Mr. Gupa stopped condemning the government.

[@divakar_7433]

one of the best episode of 'national interest'

[@bhiwaji]

Good analysis.

[@rakeshjinsi9279]

Did I miss a conclusion?What is it?

[@youngworldpublications9887]

You are so bothered about the political leaders and their well being. But you don't care about the common man and his plight. What hypocrisy!

[@VarunMGole]

today politics is about power n money ....

[@pramodtanna4182]

Well analysed.

[@asitdebnath]

People like AB Vajpayee are exceptional. Rest leaders are like you and me.

[@padmakumarvadhyar7656]

Good one SG.

[@jrpethe]

The REAL question is why a journalist who wore his independence on his sleeves has become a spokesman for BJP - Is Power and Money the obvious answer ?

[@sunilgokhale3882]

You are not referring to Virendra kumar Saklech. A toll personality from MP in 1967-69 who was Dy CM and Home Minister. He left and returned . I think even you do not recognise or remember him.

[@amarbirtoor008]

Pls do an episode on SBI not disclosing electrol bonds data

[@kallachi729]

If there is a strong ideology okay you have a point SG…. But it is almost always for power and money…. If you don’t get it in one defection it is difficult to manouvre for the less know leaders that is it….

[@Chander53]

Those politicians who do not have spine , defect , all MLA's and MP's need money , with money you buy them and they stay loyal , no one is Mahatma

[@mg.f.9023]

Transparency International ranked India at 85 among 180 countries in its Corruption Perception Index report released. “The case of India is particularly worrying. While the country’s score has remained stagnant over the past decade, some of the mechanisms that could help reign in corruption are weakening. There are concerns over the country’s democratic status, as fundamental freedoms and institutional checks and balances decay,” the report said.

[@creativemaster007]

And who has authorised Transparency international to provide rankings ??

[@karatekid7640]

Who watches over transperancy international's internal corruption...

[@roobanloganathan6498]

Which international organisation has given India under Modi government a positive rating? It’s obvious all of them have an agenda against Modi government.

[@yourstrulytk12worldaffairs]

you keep quoting these ranking bs on every video😂

[@mg.f.9023]

@@yourstrulytk12worldaffairs If it was not the truth, you wold not bother to remark 😂

[@Avinashm7]

I disagree Cowards and corrupt leave the party because of agencies not ideology lol These fools leave the party thinking they will get everything from bjp In fact they are using them

[@PanakaluPoonakam]

I work closely with the political parties. According to me, there is another reason/dimension - Being connected to the people/voters and understanding their pulse. BJP and YSRCP, to the extent I know have built machines that are close to people and regularly be in touch with voters and have keen sense of aspirations of the people. However there is a slight decline in prospects of YSRCP, why? Knowing and understanding people isn't sufficient; one has to act on it. But the state of Andhra Pradesh is so cash strapped that it can't do what it wants to. BJP OTOH have machine, muscle, money, message and the means.

[@DataCrusade1999]

In order to portray BJP in good light you wrote all that.

[@kakun63]

truth is hard ever wondered even after 10 years bjp face modi is not dented bjp may be dented but people see modi even more aspiringly than 2014@@DataCrusade1999

[@PanakaluPoonakam]

@@DataCrusade1999Suppose I did write all that to portray BJP in good light what are you going to do? Kya ukhad lo ge? Chew tiya kahin ka. Chal nikal

[@mahidar9343]

​@@DataCrusade1999nope he commented all that to show how incompetent and out of touch opposition parties are

[@anoopnair6927]

Money comes with POWER. That is one word. With poer comes the right to take bribes, commissions and all that. That is why when we hear people are flocking from one party to other, it is clear that they are going to a place which suits more to make money. Just tell me how many politicians in India has a permanent job or other income ?. and how do they all live in luxury ?. Yeah.... They are all the same.

[@gauravaggarwal6083]

I heard it twice…still did not get the message by SG…🤷‍♂️…my fault I am sure, but he could he have elaborated in so many words..

[@abhijeetpatil1120]

Protection - power - money are the three things..... Why there were no defections from BJP ( small defections may be ) will truely be tested whenever they loose power. At that time again protection - power - money will come in play. India's democracy is local fifdom driven - i want to save it so will change with the flow..thats the truth and thats why BJP has welcomed all from everywhere with or without ideological background

[@dilipchavan6818]

The fear of wholesale misuse of agencies like CBI, ED, IT etc is the glue which keeps the BJP together.

[@sohambanerjee99]

Same thing was with the congress earlier, during its peak of power in the 1970-80. The question, is why these agencies and their officers sing to the tune of their political masters? They should be utilized to for nation building- not political puppetry!

[@OMNI979]

don't worry central agency control remain with ruling party's hand, doesn't matter who comes to power BJP or Congress nobody wants to reform it when congress was in power they use ED CBI in full throttle but they have no idea one day BJP can also rule 10 years back to back in fact look like 15 years back to back

[@anonymoushandle007]

​@@sohambanerjee99because they're equally corrupt, isn't it so simple?

[@venkateswarluchaluvadi7540]

What a foolish and brainless question? They do it for 🐕 biscuits.

[@AdityarajSingh-sp1lw]

What a crazy good thumbnail cartoon.

[@mg.f.9023]

Ajit Pawar & Himanta Biswa phenomenon 😅

[@sankalp6872]

What phenomenon? Ajit Pawar remained in the shadow of Sharad Pawar for too long. Similarly, Himanta did not get his due despite years of dedicated service. The case of their EXITS is a verdict on the Congress-NCP leadership.

[@mg.f.9023]

@@sankalp6872 Sant Manus Ajit Pawar 🙏

[@sankalp6872]

@@mg.f.9023 Why "Sant"? Politics is not the place for "Sants".

[@mg.f.9023]

@@sankalp6872 No wonder politicians are making it Hell on earth!

[@kesavsadasivan9487]

Now ruling party get good commission for selling Nation properties to the corporates so they don't have problem to pay to any leaders of political parties inimaginable amount to buy them.

[@chappalkasukh]

Where else do you think all the free subsidies and bus tickets come from? Charity?

[@srirangarajk6122]

I believe in clean and corruption free government which is not possible at this point of time, because each and every Indian wanted to live lavishly and comfortably. This could be achieved only through money not by ideologies. Therefore politicians and bureaucrats are crazy of looting the government economy including destroying the natural resources like mountains and removing hell of sand and disposing to other states and countries. They are not bothered about the the younger generation. This looted money is invested in foreign countries, they even settle there and operate their business in India particularly in Tamilnadu. This won't change unless some honest leader comes to power, People of Tamilnadu are responsible for bringing such leaders to power. Jaihind.

[@user-it4pr2fi3d]

The Tamil politicians are one of the most corrupt in the entire country. Tf you mean by people of tamil nadu are responsible for bringing honest people to power?

[@ashqhussainbhat1694]

Bjp and bjs before it hold together because of rss. People did not vote for them because they alternative in the form of Congress. Congress failure or weakness is bjp success. Give the people an alternative, bjp may lose, but rss will keep them intact. Otherwise, it is always pernalism that holds in clientelistic political systems like we have. Programmatic politics is alien concept here yet

[@continuity1845]

When bjp also losing power .. it will also face similar challenges... these ppl will once again change his/her platform

[@rajendervallapureddy1564]

So how many original bjp entrants left the party from 2004 to 2014?

[@continuity1845]

@@rajendervallapureddy1564 there is two things 1.current migrants are not core bjp or sangh members .. they are opportunities . THEY ARE coming EITHER OUT OF FEAR OF ED OR POWER OR FOVOUR OR TRENDS. once bjp lose its charm . they will follow new trends 2 everyone joined congress those days . now bjp .. so be reasonable ... dont be blind .. ask questions

[@rajendervallapureddy1564]

@@continuity1845 read my sentence once again please. I said original bjp entrants not the sarmas and scindias.

[@continuity1845]

@@rajendervallapureddy1564 read my comments once again, you will get all the answers

[@continuity1845]

@@rajendervallapureddy1564 you first read my comment again , i told these ppl not a veterans ... that why i said dont be a blind ..

[@TheSmithv2]

SG again is short-sighted and in most cases can't see that politicians want to go where the public minds and hearts are. Ideology of BJP is not strong because it's drilled into their members from a young age, but because the ideology is more popular with the constituents. SG betrays the same corrupt fuedal mindset that people can be swayed to an ideology based on propaganda and not convinced based on its performance, merits and facts. BJP is popular is because of their performance and service to the people. But SG fuedal mind can't come to terms with it

[@eespn4764]

Itna lamba video......its simply for money😂😂, like you do for funding 😅

[@aafaqkhan7438]

Sorry Gupta " sorry for incorrect spelling.

[@worldofsarthak1628]

the constant hand movements are so disturbing 😝

[@Siddharth_Rao]

BJP should not become the only option for the citizens of our country. The other political parties, some with strongholds in their regions have failed our country by not being able to give us an alternative to the present incumbent.

[@Avinashm7]

By bootlicking media money power etc

[@arunhuddar]

What are the others doing except squabbling to be on top

[@ThePrintIndia]

Quite right, Siddharth, a strong opposition is a must in a democracy. We'll have to wait a few more weeks to see how this plays out... Thank you for watching and writing in...best wishes, Shekhar

[@Siddharth_Rao]

@@ThePrintIndia thank you for the reply

[@PreethamBhatH]

😊

[@samin096]

Don’t think Modi will get third term under any condition

[@krisgopi_8]

They defect because of money and positions. As simple as that What a silly q from you SG 😅

[@fly463]

Did you even watch the video ? If that was the case then BJP/ BJS wouldn't have survived until 1977 or 1998. Same for communists

[@manilalgohil]

When you read - it is not impressive

[@seeme777]

🎉🎉🎉evm modi evm modi

[@mridulakapoor4310]

Incisive and analytical!

[@adity126]

You need to change the name of “national interest” because the view is always from a political party/politician’s stand point and never India’s. It’s obvious that you and the team understand politics better than constitution, public policy, macroeconomics and administration. Had it been “national interest” you would have a taken note of the impact of defection (by purchase, and coaxing through ED and extra judicial/illegal means) - but that’s never the topic of the day. In your attempt to be centrist - you have the problem of the “shifting center”. In nazi germany you’d be talking about the least inhumane ways to exterminate Jews so that you remain “unhyphenated” and “centrist”. You don’t have to understand the constitution and there is space for the well meaning uncle in media who doesn’t see the big picture because his head his entrenched in POLITICS but do change the name of the show please!

[@natarhajanjawahar7318]

SG started eating dog biscuits of BJP long ago. So don’t expect anything true from this Godi SG 😂😂😂

[@North_Lights]

What a dumb take, what a waste of 11 minutes. Hey look, I ate Idli today morning, so it must be only food. Wait, other day I ate dosa, it must be the only food. No, the other day I ate Naan, it .just be the only food. What is food ? Whatever I think that is food, I am amazed that there are lots of food, I discovered a eternal truth that there are different food, not even Buddha could find this truth. Another truth I just found out that you can die in different ways and different means and in different places. I am shekar Gupta, everyone now on worship me as the new Buddha, because I wasted11 minutes of your life.

[@wisdomhighschool9975]

You do CTC on 4% Q3 23 Growth,on 20% Q1 22 Growth saying that hey are relatively very low growth,Why don't you do a CTC on Record 8.4% Quarterly GDP Growth, 3 Large Semiconductor Plants in Gujarat and Assam ?? Is your Agenda and propaganda aligned with the corrupt Political Families of the country??

[@allensnea9335]

The print has an entire section called “Macro Sutra” which explores the economy on a week-by-week basis. Shekhar is more focused with pure political stories

[@wisdomhighschool9975]

You do CTC on 4% Q3 23 Growth,on 20% Q1 22 Growth saying that hey are relatively very low growth,Why don't you do a CTC on Record 8.4% Quarterly GDP Growth, 3 Large Semiconductor Plants in Gujarat and Assam ?? Is your Agenda and propaganda aligned with the corrupt Political Families of the country??

[@wisdomhighschool9975]

You do CTC on 4% Q3 23 Growth,on 20% Q1 22 Growth saying that hey are relatively very low growth,Why don't you do a CTC on Record 8.4% Quarterly GDP Growth, 3 Large Semiconductor Plants in Gujarat and Assam ?? Is your Agenda and propaganda aligned with the corrupt Political Families of the country??