12 June,2026 10:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday criticised the growing trend of political defections in the country, alleging that politics has increasingly become driven by personal ambition rather than ideology, loyalty or commitment to voters.
In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party argued that elected representatives are frequently abandoning the parties on whose symbols they won elections, undermining the trust placed in them by voters.
The editorial comes amid reports of several leaders distancing themselves from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) following the party's poor performance in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.
The editorial argued that voters cast their ballots based on a party's ideology, leadership and election symbol, expecting their representatives to remain committed to those principles.
However, it claimed that many politicians switch political allegiances soon after elections in pursuit of power, influence or personal gain.
According to the party, such developments have transformed politics into what it described as a "trade of self-interest", where ideology often takes a back seat to political convenience.
The editorial used the phrase "plate-hopping politicians" to describe leaders who frequently change parties depending on the prevailing political climate.
The Saamana editorial devoted significant attention to reported developments involving Trinamool Congress leader Saayoni Ghosh.
According to the article, Ghosh had emerged as one of the prominent faces of the TMC during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign, earning attention for her speeches and strong criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The editorial noted that she had often praised TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and projected herself as one of the party's outspoken leaders.
It alleged that recent political developments within the TMC had raised questions about the loyalty of several leaders who had previously presented themselves as staunch supporters of the party leadership.
The editorial also referred to previous instances of political defections and highlighted what it described as contradictions in public positions taken by political leaders.
It claimed that leaders who once criticised defections and questioned the morality of switching parties are themselves becoming part of similar political realignments.
According to the article, this reflects a broader trend in which political ideology is increasingly overshadowed by electoral calculations and personal ambitions.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) argued that such shifts have contributed to public disillusionment with politics and political institutions.
The editorial extended its criticism to Maharashtra, claiming that the state has witnessed a growing number of political defections and realignments in recent years.
According to the party, these developments have fundamentally altered the state's political landscape and encouraged a culture where changing political loyalties is viewed as an acceptable strategy for political survival.
The article argued that opportunistic politics has become so widespread that party-switching is no longer considered unusual, regardless of ideological differences between political formations.
The Saamana editorial further contended that the rise of defections reflects a gradual erosion of political values and ideological commitment.
It argued that many contemporary politicians are willing to align themselves with any political formation if it offers a path to power or influence.
According to the party, this trend has weakened public confidence in elected representatives and made it increasingly difficult for voters to distinguish between competing political ideologies.
Concluding its commentary, Shiv Sena (UBT) warned that the continued rise of political defections could further damage public trust in democratic institutions.
The party maintained that elected representatives owe a responsibility to the voters who elected them and should remain committed to the principles and platforms on which they sought public support.
The editorial argued that frequent party-switching risks reducing politics to a contest of personal interests rather than a forum for ideological debate and public service, ultimately weakening the quality of democratic governance.
(With inputs from IANS)
