Why is new breed Politician adrift & what it may need to consolidate

Why is new breed Politician adrift & what it may need to consolidate

By: Amit Bhushan Date:31st Aug 2014

Like it or not, the new breed of politicians and political party seem adrift. The collage of different viewpoints & interest clubbed together under a political umbrella, seem to be struggling to make headway in the badland of politics despite of having proven some mettle in the immediately previous elections. What seems to have hit the party is lack of binding interest amongst the members although they would deny this and scratch their head about voter apathy, instead (possibly). The fact is twin, the pressures of Indian politics is a bit too much on part time politicians i.e. those who do not treat politics as a profession and shun goodies that come thereunder. This is so because a host of 'political' persons with their 'efficient contacts' are available full time in market for 'service' (for a fee, though). It is this network which continues to thrive works overtime to weaken the resolve of part timers to consolidate. Another aspect is differing views and opinions coming out openly to clash in public under continued strain while pursuing political work or public service. This is more pronounced when people have not much to bind together like 'power' which works as a glue and supports a hierarchy to develop around leaders so that they are able to 'delegate' work and keep up the interest levels of those in closed circles and maintain, service and grow the political system/party.

When not in power at any level in government, worker's interest has been kept alive by a mix of social & political activities, by the party leaders in India. Religion has been often used and frequently in a 'political' manner and so is caste. Some successes have been reported around professional activities like 'farmers union, workers unions or doctors association/union', although there may not be many such successes here due to smaller number of people under such professions excepting farmers. The newbie party with its abhorrence for religion and caste had to focus on such sedentary professions besides larger society. Its attempt so far has been rudimentary and therefore it seems to be adrift. Some attempts have been made say for example for e-rickshaws, auto unions or Rehri-Patriwallas but that's about all and the members seems to believe that they have covered whole city/state. The members of newbie party with a promising start must search within itself about its approach to reach out and engage with people. That if they have manage to evolve a workable agenda for the different set of professional groups which may include shopkeepers, the 'mohalla guards & security employees' and so on. Merely approaching the denizens for chat and lectures might give the feeling to leaders of having made a great effort and connect, however in practice they might be fooling themselves as their effort is yielding little workable approach towards governance and is more about the same old continuity/rule as usual by bureaucrats. Unless the meetings has potential to translate into policy specifics, that can be carried out by the leader of state or pursued by the member of assembly, such meetings may not hold much meaning other than continuance of sloganeerism.

Another important aspect is the near total neglect of the movement from where the party evolved. The Right to Information background and skills developed thereunder which were deployed to slay many a giants are being neglected. Any common sense would dictate that the revelations that came to light from such efforts were ones which that led to public opinion building and rally. The neglect of this aspect and focus on lecture might only give a bad throat but not actually help into flowering of political careers of the newbie politicians. Present silence is leading to belief that corruption seems to be ebbing (pun intended) and advertisements about its rise, is a 'made story'. This is actually for a serious thought to explore if the political party has neglected its 'core support base' (and answer how & why?) for too long leading to withering away of such supporters and do they have it to gather and activate their support base to rally for them again. They would also need to evolve future 'structure' and 'plans' for any kind of outcome so that they can continue to be in 'business' and not stare at going adrift again.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

The emergence of the "new breed" of politicians, often characterized by their youth, digital savviness, and progressive ideologies, marks a significant shift in the political landscape. However, despite their initial appeal and the promise they bring, many of these emerging leaders find themselves adrift, struggling to translate their early momentum into sustained political power and influence. One of the primary reasons for this is the lack of a robust institutional support system. Traditional political parties often have deeply entrenched hierarchies and established funding mechanisms, which can be difficult for new politicians to navigate or challenge. Without the backing of these powerful structures, new breed politicians may struggle to gain the resources and visibility needed to campaign effectively and build a broad base of support.

Moreover, the rapid pace at which political discourse and public opinion can shift in the digital age can be both a blessing and a curse. While these politicians are adept at leveraging social media to connect with constituents and mobilize support, the same platforms can also be volatile and unforgiving. A single misstep or controversy can lead to a rapid loss of credibility and public trust, which can be especially damaging for those who have yet to establish a strong and resilient political brand. This digital fragility underscores the need for new breed politicians to develop comprehensive crisis management strategies and to be consistently transparent and accountable to their base.

Another challenge is the need to balance idealism with practical governance. The new breed often gains traction by championing bold, transformative policies, but the reality of political compromise and the complexities of governance can be daunting. To consolidate their positions, these politicians must learn to navigate these complexities without abandoning their core principles. This requires not only strong negotiation skills but also a deep understanding of the legislative process and the ability to build coalitions across ideological lines.

Finally, the new breed of politicians must address the issue of institutional memory and experience. While change and innovation are crucial, the lack of seasoned political acumen can leave these leaders vulnerable to the tactics of more experienced opponents. To overcome this, they should seek to mentor under seasoned politicians who can provide valuable insights and guidance, while also fostering a new generation of leaders who can support and sustain their vision.

In summary, the new breed of politicians faces a multifaceted challenge in consolidating their power and influence. They need to secure institutional support, manage the risks of the digital arena, balance idealism with governance, and build a bridge between their innovative approaches and the wisdom of political experience. By addressing these issues, they can better position themselves to bring about the change they advocate for and to create a more inclusive and forward-looking political environment.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Why is new breed Politician adrift & what it may need to consolidate

By: Amit Bhushan Date:31st Aug 2014

Like it or not, the new breed of politicians and political party seem adrift. The collage of different viewpoints & interest clubbed together under a political umbrella, seem to be struggling to make headway in the badland of politics despite of having proven some mettle in the immediately previous elections. What seems to have hit the party is lack of binding interest amongst the members although they would deny this and scratch their head about voter apathy, instead (possibly). The fact is twin, the pressures of Indian politics is a bit too much on part time politicians i.e. those who do not treat politics as a profession and shun goodies that come thereunder. This is so because a host of 'political' persons with their 'efficient contacts' are available full time in market for 'service' (for a fee, though). It is this network which continues to thrive works overtime to weaken the resolve of part timers to consolidate. Another aspect is differing views and opinions coming out openly to clash in public under continued strain while pursuing political work or public service. This is more pronounced when people have not much to bind together like 'power' which works as a glue and supports a hierarchy to develop around leaders so that they are able to 'delegate' work and keep up the interest levels of those in closed circles and maintain, service and grow the political system/party.

When not in power at any level in government, worker's interest has been kept alive by a mix of social & political activities, by the party leaders in India. Religion has been often used and frequently in a 'political' manner and so is caste. Some successes have been reported around professional activities like 'farmers union, workers unions or doctors association/union', although there may not be many such successes here due to smaller number of people under such professions excepting farmers. The newbie party with its abhorrence for religion and caste had to focus on such sedentary professions besides larger society. Its attempt so far has been rudimentary and therefore it seems to be adrift. Some attempts have been made say for example for e-rickshaws, auto unions or Rehri-Patriwallas but that's about all and the members seems to believe that they have covered whole city/state. The members of newbie party with a promising start must search within itself about its approach to reach out and engage with people. That if they have manage to evolve a workable agenda for the different set of professional groups which may include shopkeepers, the 'mohalla guards & security employees' and so on. Merely approaching the denizens for chat and lectures might give the feeling to leaders of having made a great effort and connect, however in practice they might be fooling themselves as their effort is yielding little workable approach towards governance and is more about the same old continuity/rule as usual by bureaucrats. Unless the meetings has potential to translate into policy specifics, that can be carried out by the leader of state or pursued by the member of assembly, such meetings may not hold much meaning other than continuance of sloganeerism.

Another important aspect is the near total neglect of the movement from where the party evolved. The Right to Information background and skills developed thereunder which were deployed to slay many a giants are being neglected. Any common sense would dictate that the revelations that came to light from such efforts were ones which that led to public opinion building and rally. The neglect of this aspect and focus on lecture might only give a bad throat but not actually help into flowering of political careers of the newbie politicians. Present silence is leading to belief that corruption seems to be ebbing (pun intended) and advertisements about its rise, is a 'made story'. This is actually for a serious thought to explore if the political party has neglected its 'core support base' (and answer how & why?) for too long leading to withering away of such supporters and do they have it to gather and activate their support base to rally for them again. They would also need to evolve future 'structure' and 'plans' for any kind of outcome so that they can continue to be in 'business' and not stare at going adrift again.