In word “lota” is use for a small, round, spouted water vessel, usually made of brass or copper. It is generally used in washrooms in Pakistan and India.
But, in politics the term ‘Lota’ is used to symbolize a person who changes his loyalties. A man who is elected from one political party but after winning elections he joins another party.
The term ‘lota’ was firstly used in subcontinent for Dr Sheikh Muhammad Alam. Renowned poet and journalist Chiragh Hassan Hasrat (1904-1955) has given details about Dr Sheikh Muhammad Alam in his book ‘Two Doctor’.
Dr Sheikh Muhammad was born in Sargodha in 1887. He got his early education from Lahore Government College but earned Barrister degree from Oxford, London.
Chiragh Hassan said that though Dr Sheikh Muhammad belonged to religious family but stay at Oxford and London lessened his interaction with religion.
He earlier started practice as lawyer in Sargodha but later on invitation of Maulana Muhammad Ali reached Aligarh to join Congress. Earlier, he was appointed head of Jamia Millia established by Maulana Muhammad Ali and other leaders but he lacked the eligibility required for the post. He soon quit the position, returned to Lahore and started practice here.
Dr Alam contested the Punjab Assembly election in 1926 from platform of Khaksar Party after defeating Khan Bahadur Sheikh was elected member of Punjab Assembly. After success, he joined Muslim League. When Muslim League was distributed in two groups, Dr Alam joined Jinnah League group of the party. After differences within the party, he laid the foundation of All India Muslim Nationalist Party and Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari was elected its first president.
Dr Sheikh Muhammad Alam took another u-turn within few day and now he was again seen among the congressmen. He was nominated member of executive committee of Congress but he against joined the newly renovated Majlis Ittihad e Millat.
After being elected on ticket of the Majlis Ittihad e Millat, Dr Alam joined Congress and his supporters were disappointed.
In 1945, he again tried to contest election on ticket of Khaksar Party but now situation had changed. The repeated uturns declared Dr Alam as ‘lota’. Since then, any person who changes loyalties in called as ‘lota’.
