Politics is nothing but opportunism.

Politics, in its purest form, was meant to be the art of service—the noble labor of guiding a people toward justice and prosperity. Yet, as H. D. Kumaraswamy declared, “Politics is nothing but opportunism,” the reality often strays far from this ideal. His words are a lament, a cry born of experience, revealing how the political arena is frequently driven not by virtue, but by the ceaseless hunt for advantage. In this view, politics becomes a game of shifting alliances and calculated moves, where principles are discarded whenever they threaten ambition.

At the heart of this statement lies the idea of opportunism—the ability to seize favorable circumstances, even at the cost of loyalty or integrity. In politics, such opportunism manifests in broken promises, sudden betrayals, and policies shaped not by the needs of the people but by the desires of those who hunger for power. Kumaraswamy, a leader in the turbulent landscape of Indian politics, spoke these words from direct witness to the chaos of coalition governments, where survival often depends on swift, self-serving maneuvers rather than steadfast ideals.

History provides countless examples of this truth. In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar rose to prominence not merely through military brilliance, but through opportunistic alliances with rivals like Pompey and Crassus. When those alliances no longer served him, he turned against them, reshaping the Republic into an empire under his rule. His actions, though cunning, revealed how opportunism can transform a political system, for better or worse. Such stories repeat through the ages, proving that politics often bends to the will of those who strike at the right moment, regardless of moral cost.

Yet, Kumaraswamy’s statement also serves as a warning. While opportunism can achieve swift victories, it corrodes the foundation of governance. When citizens see leaders pursuing only their own gain, trust is shattered, and the people turn cynical or rebellious. The fall of monarchies and empires often begins not with foreign invaders, but with internal decay, born of leaders who traded the common good for personal advantage. Opportunism may win battles, but it cannot sustain nations.

This wisdom reaches beyond governments into the lives of ordinary people. In families, communities, and friendships, the temptation to act opportunistically can destroy harmony. Just as a politician must choose between service and self-interest, so too must each person decide whether to honor loyalty or to seize fleeting gain. The political world, though grand in scale, is but a reflection of the choices made by countless individuals.

Let this teaching echo through the halls of power: politics is a mirror of the human soul. If it becomes nothing but opportunism, it is because the hearts of leaders have forgotten their higher calling. Though Kumaraswamy’s words describe a painful truth, they also challenge future generations to rise above it—to create a form of politics where opportunity is not for self alone, but for the shared uplifting of all people. Only then can politics be redeemed from the shadows of ambition.