Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has ignited a debate on Indian democracy by advocating a shift from dynastic politics to meritocracy, asserting that family-run parties undermine governance quality. In an October 31 article for Project Syndicate titled "Indian Politics Are a Family Business," the Thiruvananthapuram lawmaker argued that lineage over competence draws from a "smaller talent pool," insulating leaders from public realities and eroding voter trust. "It is high time India traded dynasty for meritocracy," Tharoor wrote, proposing term limits, mandatory internal elections, and voter education to prioritize ability and grassroots engagement.

Tharoor highlighted dynasties spanning parties and regions, from the Nehru-Gandhi family's Congress influence to Odisha's Naveen Patnaik succeeding his father Biju, and Maharashtra's Shiv Sena passing from Bal Thackeray to son Uddhav and grandson Aditya. In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav yielded to son Akhilesh; Bihar's Lok Janshakti Party saw Ram Vilas Paswan succeeded by Chirag. Punjab's Shiromani Akali Dal transitioned from Parkash Singh Badal to Sukhbir, while Tamil Nadu's DMK remains Karunanidhi family-controlled under M.K. Stalin. Jammu and Kashmir features Abdullah and Mufti generations, extending to Telangana's BRS and subcontinental parallels like Pakistan's Bhuttos or Sri Lanka's Rajapaksas.

The BJP seized on Tharoor's critique, with spokesperson Amit Malviya framing it as frustration with Rahul Gandhi's leadership, accelerating Congress's decline. "Except for the BJP and, to some extent, the Communists, there is no semblance of internal democracy," Malviya said, accusing regional outfits of equal complicity. Tharoor, a 2022 Congress presidential contender who lost to Mallikarjun Kharge, has previously irked the party with reform calls, especially amid the BJP's "dynasty" attacks on the Gandhis.

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Tharoor attributed dynasties' persistence to "brand" recognition, easing voter recall without proven credentials, yet warned of disconnected governance. With over 30% of MPs from political families per ADR data, his plea resonates in a democracy of 1.4 billion, where youth unemployment and inequality demand accountable leaders.

As Congress stays silent, Tharoor's missive fuels introspection across the spectrum, urging structural changes to fulfill democracy's promise: government by merit, for the people. In a polarized landscape, trading surnames for skills could revitalize India's political vitality.

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