ISSUE OF LINEAGE IN INDIA

Lineage: -

Dictionary meaning “Ancestry and Progeny; family, ascending or descending.” 1

We take pride in boasting about the Indian democracy. Here, contenders are chosen “By the people and for the
people” through elections. Though Election Commission warrants fair conduct of polls, the formation of open
and impartial political system remains elusive. It’s true that everyone can vote but does everyone has the equal
opportunity to be voted for?

Political Lineage: -

Its meaning has not much different from that of lineage in a general sense. Basically, Political lineage refers to a
distinct family governing the state. The issue of lineage in politics is a global issue and is especially prominent in
India.

Favouritism is no offense when it’s a family affair. However, the same practice could prove detrimental if it is
replicated in political decision making. In India, it is not very difficult to find political lineage of political
candidates, as most leaders are honest in their effort to endorse their near ones. If some of the reports are presumed
to be true, we are staring at some worrisome statistics. About 30% of the total MPs in the current Lok Sabha are
a part of some political dynasty2. In a rather shocking disclosure by the election watchdog, MPs having political
lineage are about five times richer than those who have made it to that stage on their own.

The main question that it poses is that how open is the Indian administrative system. Looking at the Nehru-Gandhi
dynasty, right from Motilal Nehru to Jawaharlal Nehru and currently Rahul Gandhi, members of the family have
usually led the Congress Party and the Republic of India since independence 3. ‘The Guardian’ wrote in 2007 “The
Nehru Gandhi brand has no peer in the world a member of the family has been in charge of India for 40 of the 60
years since independence4”.

The Indian political system is swiftly transforming into a dynastic rule where one generation passes the baton to
the younger generation. At centre, Congress is the epitome of hereditary politics and has been ruled by a Nehru-
Gandhi member for a majority of its existence. Such is the state of party men that they can’t even think of anyone
outside Nehru-Gandhi family to head Congress.

1
Blacks Law
2
Is politics a family business in India? - Political Corner, http://www.elections.in/political-corner/is-politics-a-
family-business-in-india/ (accessed October 28, 2015).
3
AUBeats | Learn Live Hope, http://aubeats.com/ (accessed October 28, 2015).
4
Is politics a family business in India? - Political Corner, http://www.elections.in/political-corner/is-politics-a-
family-business-in-india/ (accessed October 28, 2015).
But, the circumstances are predominantly grave in case of regional parties where some of the regional parties like
SP, DMK, SAD, TDP etc.5 have taken this notion way too seriously. Not only their sons and daughters but the
nephew and nieces are also joining the bandwagon to be youngest politicians.

THE NEHRU-GANDHIAN FAMILY

Without a doubt, the Nehru-Gandhi family would top the list as the most eminent and politically active dynasties
in India, unmatched by any other family, considering generations involved, political influence and popularity.

The era of this family started with the coming of Motilal Nehru in the freedom struggle. He was one of the
important leaders in the freedom struggle as well as a lawyer by profession. He was later succeeded by his son
Jawaharlal Nehru,6 Who played a significant role in the independence of India.

Later on, Jawaharlal Nehru also became the first ever prime minister of India. His legacy is continued by his
daughter Indira Priyadarshini Nehru (later known as Indira Gandhi) who became the first women prime minister
of India. Son of Indira, Rajiv Gandhi became the next successor to the throne.

In the later stage, Rajiv Gandhi married Sonia. When Rajiv Gandhi was murdered, Sonia took over for him. The
present generation of this family includes the children of Sonia, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Additional
members of the family like Sanjay Gandhi, Menaka Gandhi etc. are also active parts of Indian politics.

The principal problem arises with this family, as they have a monopoly over the dominant positions in their party.
Basically, it is a known fact that if it is a leader from the Congress party it has to be a relative of the Gandhi family.

Ever since the rule of Motilal Nehru, it was sure that his son will be the future leader of the party. It continued for
generations and the present day scenario is that the dominant positions in the party are thought to be the inborn
right of members of the family. Even the secondary relatives of the family are getting benefit from the family
name like the recent case where Robert Vadra the son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi is accused to have accumulated lots
of property and money using family name. This is part of the reasons why lineage is harmful to Indian politics.
But the problem doesn’t end here certain further problems like lack of proper opportunities for the upcoming
generation. This also imposes wills and ideologies of a particular clan/family on the party or even worse the whole
government.

Our country needs, not a person with a political background but proper leaders who can represent the public.
The researchers through this paper tried to put out a picture of political families in India and what are the effects
of lineage on the country.

5
The circumstances are predominantly grave in case of regional.,
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/568579521683176045/ (accessed October 28, 2015).
6
Famous Indian political dynasties, Political families of., http://www.mapsofindia.com/my-
india/politics/famous-indian-political-dynasties-g (accessed October 28, 2015).