Dynasty: India’s longest playing serial

Some justify this brand of politics with a simplistic argument. They argue that if a film actor’s son can become an actor and a doctor’s son can become a doctor, why should a politician’s son not become a politician? This is like comparing apples and oranges. Inheriting political power would mean that such power would remain concentrated in the hands of a select few, who then try to retain it by hook or by crook. Many leaders of this ilk have thrived on extraneous electoral “merits” like caste, religion, sycophancy and nuisance value. There are many who have got elected as many as seven times in a row, but have done precious little for their constituencies. Does this strengthen Indian democracy?

Think of western democracies. Barring a few exceptions — like the Bush family in the US — we don’t come across many families or individuals who have incessantly clung to power. These countries, unlike ours, have evolved healthy democratic traditions of two-party or three-party systems. Some democracies have even embraced healthy conventions like leaders not being able to stand for public office more than twice.

True, these democracies have been in existence for centuries and ours is in its early stages, relatively speaking. But just consider the record so far. Although privy purses have been abolished and a ceiling imposed on land holdings, the Congress’s unchallenged monopoly in power gave rise to a new class of politico-feudal lords. What is worse, they were accepted without any questions being asked. Clearly, if we wish to have a real democracy in this country, we would need to change that unquestioning mindset.

This is where meaningful electoral reforms come in. For instance, irrespective of whether someone has done a good job or not, nominations for more than two terms must be vetoed. Also, nominations should be denied to wards of politicians who have occupied seats of power for more than 10 years.

The same interests which had steadfastly opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill will certainly oppose such changes too. Therefore, we need to build a strong public opinion through debate and discussion, in order to impress upon voters that democracy’s best bet lies in the circulation of power and the decentralisation of power.