Legislative councils were meant to give a voice to representatives of urban local bodies and promote functional representation, but this component of a bicameral legislature is frequently being used as a rehabilitation centre for politicians who have either lost an assembly or Lok Sabha election or been denied a renomination to such an election.
Of the 432 members in the country’s seven legislative councils, 169, or 39 per cent, are either defeated candidates or former MLAs or MPs whose parties denied them a ticket for a fresh election, an analysis of their profiles shows. In Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, the chief ministers have chosen to be members of the legislative council rather than get elected to the assembly. The other five states with a bicameral legislature are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka.
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Karnataka provided a recent illustration of how much store politicians lay by getting a membership to a legislative council. Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, was allegedly heard on an audio CD demanding a bribe from a leader of his party, the Janata Dal (Secular), to get him elected a Member of the Legislative Council.
Uttara Sahasrabuddhe, reader in Mumbai University’s civics and politics department, says of legislative councils, “It was an idea given by the British to help give representation to urban local bodies in the decision-making process, and also provide a degree of representation to functional groups in the state. However, over a period of time, the idea seems to have completely disintegrated and become highly politicised with money power being used to get people elected.”
Other political analysts feel the system is beneficial for a democracy. “The fact that we have not been able to make the system work well does not mean it is not a good thing,” analyst Kumar Ketkar says. “The council is necessary to keep a check and balance in our democratic setup. Many a time the [Maharashtra] council has forced a rethink on policies that were pushed through by the assembly.”
Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas:
Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai.
Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC).
Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai).
Trustworthiness & Credibility
Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence.
Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers).
Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports.
He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More
