Of course, it's true that lying goes against the principles of building honest and respectful relationships with constituents. However, Nikhil's central point that it may be necessary for some politicians to lie in order to achieve good outcomes is an accurate one. It is also important to note that not all lies are made with malicious intent. If a politician lies with the intention of advocating for good causes, then it can be seen as a noble sacrifice on their part.
It is not always appropriate for politicians to be wholly transparent about their beliefs, plans, and motivations for the simple reason that it can put them in an uncomfortable position with potential voters. For example, if a politician desperately wants to pass a bill that is unpopular among the public, they may have to fib about their support for it in order to avoid alienating potential voters. This does not mean that politicians should be dishonest about their intentions, but it does mean that they may need to tread carefully when making public statements.
In short, while it is important for politicians to always strive for honesty, they may find themselves in situations where they are forced to bend the truth in order to achieve good outcomes. It is wrong to suggest that lying is never acceptable - sometimes a white lie can go a long way!