Dynastic politics poses ‘grave threat’ to Indian democracy, says Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor warned that dynastic politics narrows the talent pool for leadership. File pic

Senior Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on Monday warned that dynastic politics across India's political spectrum poses a "grave threat" to the country's democracy, asserting that it is high time India shifted from "dynasty to meritocracy", news agency PTI reported.

Writing for the international media outlet Project Syndicate, the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha parliamentarian argued that when political power is inherited by lineage rather than earned through ability, commitment, or grassroots engagement, the quality of governance suffers. Tharoor stressed that while the Nehru-Gandhi family is most associated with dynastic politics in India, the practice extends across multiple parties and regions.

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Speaking about the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, he pointed out that independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, followed by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and currently Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have strengthened the notion that political leadership can be a "birthright", PTI reported.

Tharoor further highlighted similar trends in other parties. In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray passed leadership to his son Uddhav, with Uddhav's son Aditya poised to succeed him. In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was succeeded by his son Akhilesh Yadav. Bihar's Lok Janshakti Party saw Ram Vilas Paswan succeeded by his son Chirag Paswan. In Jammu and Kashmir, three generations of the Abdullah family have led the region, while two generations of Muftis have dominated the opposition. He also mentioned Tamil Nadu's DMK, long controlled by the family of late M Karunanidhi, and the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab under Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir.

Beyond India, Tharoor noted similar practices in South Asia, citing the Bhuttos and Sharifs in Pakistan, the Sheikh and Zia families in Bangladesh, and the Bandaranaikes and Rajapaksas in Sri Lanka, PTI reported.

Tharoor warned that dynastic politics narrows the talent pool for leadership, often leaving leaders ill-equipped to respond to constituents' needs. He called for reforms including legally mandated term limits, internal party elections, and voter education to prioritise merit over lineage.

The BJP responded to Tharoor's article, with spokespersons Shehzad Poonawalla and CR Kesavan calling it "insightful" and highlighting that it critiques the Nehru-Gandhi family for perpetuating political leadership as a birthright.

"Former Congress minister and CWC member Shashi Tharoor's article can be inferred as a scathing attack on the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty," Kesavan said, noting that Tharoor's piece also indirectly criticises dynastic politics across parties.

Tharoor's remarks come amid ongoing debates within the Congress and Indian politics at large about meritocracy, nepotism, and the future of party leadership.

(With PTI inputs)