Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday expressed concerns over what he described as a steady erosion of ideological commitment in politics, alleging that most political parties have abandoned their core principles and are resorting to different tactics to expand their ranks. In an exclusive interview with PTI, Pawar, who also heads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), said party-hopping has become rampant, with leaders being lured or coerced into switching sides. “Lately, political parties have almost abandoned their respective ideologies. Leaders are going anywhere and doing whatever they feel”, Pawar said. He alleged that some leaders are being poached through inducements, while others are pressured by highlighting pending inquiries against them and assuring that probe agencies would be managed after a switch. He further claimed that money and muscle power are being openly used in the political arena. “Those who have money and muscle power are using it. Those who feel that votes can be sought by raking up caste issues are adopting that tactic”, Pawar said, responding to a question on frequent defections …