The Strategies of Religious Leaders to Become Regional Heads in Indonesia

Religious leaders who took part in political contetstation are trapped in conditions of religious politicization and identity politics. But it also became a capital in gaining political support from their group. This study was conducted to analyze the strategies carried out by religious leaders to become candidates for regional heads which were then analyzed using motivation theory and rational choice theory. This study uses descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews of various informants who directly interacted with religious leaders who ran for regional head. The data were collected by direct observation during the regional head election and when religious leaders are being regional heads. This study found that there are several strategies carried out by religious leaders to become regional heads in Indonesia such as by gaining support from businessmen who have money, joining the ruling party, switching to other party, making a coalition with party cadres that won the general election. Also, there are some who have a strategy of closing the opportunity of their rivals to compete in the election and became a single candidate or became a senior cadre in political parties.