Smaller sacrifices made for Bigger picture

In B R Chopra's famous TV serial of our epic MAHABHARAT from the late 1980s, the warrior Karna kills Bhim's illegitimate child Ghatotkachha using his most deadly weapon. Karna had earned this indestructible weapon from Lord Indra for his indisputable reputation of charity & benevolence, a quality which ensured no one ever returned empty handed from his doorsteps.

As Bhim sobbed for the loss of his valiant son, Lord Krishna was seen standing smiling besides him. Noticing this an irritated Bhim asked him, "AAP MERE VEER PUTRA KI NIDHAN SE HANS RAHE HAI ? " - "Are you smiling at the death of my valiant son" ? Lord Krishna replied with his smirk, "KARNA NE IS BAAN KO ARJUN KE LIYE RAKHA THA. INDRA KI IS SHAKTI SE KOI NAHI USE BACHA SAKTA. MEIN BHI NAHI."-"Karna kept this weapon reserved for Arjun for one time use. No body could have saved Arjun from this potent weapon. Not even me". ( Krishna wasn't shy of proclaiming himself as God in that serial, reinforcing his Godly status by occasionally showing it off as and when necessary).

If you look at the political landscape of Odisha right now, it seems in many seats weak candidates are deliberately put by the opposition BJP against the ruling BJD. Convinced about the likelihood of it finishing second in the state, it doesn't mind keeping its competitor and earlier partner in good humor. Because this regional party from Odisha can very well extend its support to BJP at center if and when needed (though official position of BJD is to be equidistant from both BJP and Congress, it has a history of standing by the saffron party when push comes to the shove). 

With that bigger picture in mind, BJP doesn't mind making smaller sacrifices what it considers as collateral damage, same as Ghatotkachha was sacrificed to save Arjun. Only solace - a la Ghatotkacha there is no ignominy in the loss, rather one can emerge stronger basking in limelight in case he gives a better fight or even manages to win.

There is another angle to it. In political world big fish eats small fish, so that the small fish won't outgrow its bigger counterpart. If a young bird is high flying its wings are clipped - even if it is necessary to shake hands with the political opponents to achieve that goal. It is as dirty as it gets and now very pertinent in Odisha. Fixing rivals in own party has become more important than winning over rivals. 

No wonder someone said politics is the last resort of a scoundrel. In the murky world of politics there is no permanent friends or enemies. Only permanent interest thrives.