Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong condemnation of dynastic politics as “the greatest threat to democracy,” India’s current Lok Sabha elections are saturated with evident instances of political inheritance. A glaring example is the recent succession of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by his son as the sitting Member of Parliament from Kaiserganj, UP, facilitated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This transition, prompted by allegations of sexual harassment against Singh, highlights the entrenched nature of dynastic politics in Indian democracy.
Similarly, the announcement by the opposition Indian National Congress that Rahul Gandhi will contest the election in Raebareli, UP, a seat steeped in familial legacy, serves as another poignant illustration. This constituency has been represented by multiple generations of the Gandhi family, including Feroze Gandhi, former PM Indira Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, Rahul’s mother, further solidifying the grip of political dynasties on Indian politics.
Moreover, the recent controversies surrounding former PM H. D. Deve Gowda and his grandson Prajwal Revanna, the incumbent MP and candidate in Hassan, Karnataka, highlight the inherent risks associated with dynastic politics. Despite belonging to a party in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Gowda faces intense scrutiny and condemnation from PM Narendra Modi following allegations of sexual assault against Revanna. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the challenges posed by political inheritance in India’s democratic landscape.
In the political landscape of Maharashtra’s Baramati constituency, a gripping saga unfolds as Supriya Sule, the incumbent MP, faces off against Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, in a high-stakes battle. This electoral showdown is not merely a clash of personalities but a reflection of the intricate family dynamics within the powerful Pawar clan, led by the venerable Sharad Pawar. The rift within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), precipitated by Ajit Pawar’s faction aligning with the BJP, adds layers of intrigue to this familial feud.
The Baramati contest epitomizes a broader trend across Maharashtra, where political families dominate the electoral landscape. In a state that sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha, familial ties, and legacies wield significant influence in at least 31 constituencies. Dynastic politics is not an anomaly but rather the norm, with candidates often hailing from lineages steeped in political legacy, be it as former or incumbent MPs, legislators, or local representatives.
Even in Mumbai, the financial hub, familial legacies loom large, with political scions vying for parliamentary seats. Piyush Goyal, the BJP candidate from Mumbai North, stands as a prominent example, following in the footsteps of his father, Ved Prakash Goyal, a stalwart BJP treasurer. This trend extends beyond the metropolis, as seen in Jalgaon, where political scions like Karan Patil-Pawar and Smita Wagh compete, embodying the intertwined threads of familial heritage and political ambition.
Yet, amidst the backdrop of entrenched dynastic politics, voices emerge challenging the status quo. Manoj Patil, a former municipal councilor, emphasizes that voters often see potential in offspring of senior leaders, viewing them as inheritors of a political legacy with a nuanced understanding of public needs. Such sentiments highlight a paradoxical acceptance of political dynasties, driven by perceptions of competence and continuity.
In the Baramati narrative, the Pawar clan’s sprawling influence, spanning sugar cooperatives, banks, and industries, amplifies the familial drama. As Ajit Pawar finds himself at odds with both kin and party, the battleground mirrors a modern-day Mahabharata, with familial ties and political ambitions entwined in a mythic struggle akin to the legendary conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. In this electoral theater, the lines between political strategy and familial loyalty blur, painting a complex tableau of power, ambition, and legacy.
Political dynasties, while prominent in India, are not exclusive to the country’s political landscape. Similar phenomena are observed globally, from the Philippines to Cambodia and North Korea. In these nations, familial ties often dictate political succession, consolidating power within select elite circles. This pattern extends beyond governance to encompass control over resources, be it land, industry, or caste groups, further entrenching familial influence in the political economy.
In Maharashtra, where political dynasties wield considerable sway, the nexus between political power and economic interests is evident. Families entrenched in politics often hold significant stakes in various sectors, including industry, education, and agriculture. This convergence of political and economic power perpetuates a cycle of wealth accumulation and political dominance, reinforcing the status quo.
Ruben Mascarenhas, working president of Mumbai’s AAP unit, sheds light on the challenges posed by dynastic politics. He underscores the inherent barriers faced by first-generation politicians, particularly those lacking familial pedigree or substantial financial resources. Mascarenhas emphasizes the importance of meritocracy and upward mobility within political parties, highlighting the AAP’s approach as a refreshing departure from traditional hierarchical structures.
As a political start-up, the AAP offers an alternative paradigm, prioritizing merit-based advancement over entrenched familial ties. Mascarenhas contends that without systems like primaries, individuals from diverse backgrounds, including hard-working middle-class families, struggle to navigate the inherently skewed terrain of mainstream politics. His narrative underscores the need for inclusive political structures that democratize opportunities for aspiring leaders, irrespective of their socio-economic background or lineage.
Maharashtra’s political landscape brims with dynastic legacies, where families like the Pawars, Vikhe-Patils, and Mohite-Patils wield considerable influence. The Vikhe-Patils, rooted in the cooperative movement initiated by Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, have left an indelible mark on Ahmednagar’s political fabric, characterized by a penchant for party-hopping. Similarly, the Mohite-Patils, spearheaded by Shankarrao Mohite Patil, have championed cooperative endeavors in Solapur, with scions like Dhairyasheel Mohite-Patil vying for electoral success, while the next generation, represented by Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil, awaits its turn.
Mumbai’s Thackerays stand as an emblematic political dynasty, with Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena built on a platform of regionalism and identity politics. Despite internal rifts and the party’s split, Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure as Maharashtra’s chief minister marked a significant chapter, while cousin Raj Thackeray’s trajectory has seen fluctuations. Aditya Thackeray, representing the next generation, holds sway within the Shiv Sena faction, continuing the family legacy.
Pankaja Munde, hailing from a family synonymous with representing ‘other backward castes’ (OBC) in central Maharashtra, carries forward her father Gopinath Munde’s political mantle in Beed. Gopinath’s alliance with Pramod Mahajan, a pivotal figure in the BJP, underscores the intricate interplay of familial and political ties shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape.
The legacy of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and a dalit icon, resonates through his grandsons, Prakash Ambedkar and Anandraj Ambedkar, contesting from Akola and Amravati, respectively. Their candidacies symbolize the enduring influence of Dr. Ambedkar’s vision in contemporary politics.
In Kolhapur, the Congress fields Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj, a direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, epitomizing the fusion of historical lineage with modern political aspirations. This amalgamation underscores the enduring resonance of historical legacies in Maharashtra’s electoral arena.
However, the emergence of younger politicians without traditional political pedigrees signals a shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Figures like Pratibha Dhanorkar, who entered politics after her husband’s tenure, and Shrikant Shinde, following in his father Eknath Shinde’s footsteps, represent a newer breed challenging entrenched dynastic structures. Mascarenhas’ observation of Indians viewing leaders as “elected maharajahs” prompts introspection on the implications for democracy, highlighting the tension between dynastic interests and democratic ideals in Maharashtra’s political narrative.
