POLITICAL DYNASTY

One of the most widely discussed topics in the country for the past many years, perhaps, is Political dynasty. In India when we talk of political dynasty, the obvious inference is Nehru family.  Even when no one from the family was either occupying party or government positions (from the untimely death of Rajv Gandhi till Sonia Gandhi occupies the position of president of Indian National Congress), neither other political parties nor our national media spared them.  We have been endlessly talking and writing all these years. On one side we are fascinated of the family’s saga of total involvement in the national building; but on the other side, we miserably fail to see their tramuna, sacrifice and tragedy with which the entire family from generation to generation had to put up. With the ensuing U.P. assembly election, the topic again surfaced.

We all know one thing; even before independence Nehru’s family has been actively involved in politics. India’s political history cannot perhaps be separated from that of Nehru family’s active involvement and their contribution to Indian politics. Even without much contribution to the independence struggle and politics in general many others are pursuing dynastic politics in the country. Let us look at few examples.

Scindia family of Gwalior perhaps is the most visible example of dynastic intrusion in politics. Late Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and her son Madhavrao Scindia, now her grand son Jyotirditya Scindia, two daughters Vasundhara Raje and Yashodhara Raje and Vasundhara’s son were/are   all in active power politics.

A BJP leader and former Minister in NDA government Jaswant Singh is presently a Rajya Sabha M.P and his son a Loksabha M.P. Even though former Prime Minister Vajpai is a chronic bachelor, his foster son was always in the news during his tenure.

Mulayam Singh Yadav was a former Chief Minister of UP and his son, presently a Loksabha M.P and a strong contender for Chief Minister of U.P. if elected with a majority. In DMK both Karunanidhi and his son Stalin are in active politics and it is no more a secret that Stalin is being mentored to ultimately take over the mantle from his father. His elder son is already Central Minister in U.P.A. Government. I need not speak of his daughter!! Dayanidhi Maran is the son of late Central Minister Murasoli Maran and grandson of Karunanidhi. Do I need to mention here the names of Lalu and his wife Babri?  Their son has already started showing his face in election meetings. What about Kerala’s K.Karunakaran (late) and his children or Late Devilal, his son Chautala and now grandsons or do I have to drag the name of incumbent Chief Minister of Orissa.

In Jammu & Kashmir, we have late Sheikh Abdulla, his son Faruq Abdulla and now grand son Omar Abdulla. Former Chief Minister Mukti Mohd. Sayed and his daughter is yet another example. 

Even in ideologically rich Communist party, late AK Gopalan and his wife were together and active in politics (Later Sushila Gopalan became a Minister in LDF government in Kerala). KR Gauri, former minister and her husband late TVThomas (was Minister in first ever Communist Government in Kerala, if my memory is not failing me) were both active communists and held various positions in the party and the Government. Now, Prakash Karat and his wife Vrinda are actively involved in national politics and both hold important party positions.

I can pin point any number of politicians whose family members are in active politics and smaller regional parties. TDP is an immediate example.

Why then should we single out Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi? Are they committing any crime by entering into politics which is a tradition in their family? The intension is bad, ridiculous, malicious and outrageous.

Such dynastic rules were not unusual in other countries too. We could see examples in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Even in U.S.A. things are not much different.  Kennedys, Clintons and Bush’s are no exceptions.

Let us now leave politics.  Take Cinema, business or any other field.  Let us accept this fact. An actor’s son is an actor, a business man’s son is a business man, a clerk’s son is a clerk, a cobbler’s son is a cobbler, and a barber’s son is a barber. This exactly is what life in our country is all about. Let us therefore not talk too much of this dynastic rules. We all are part of it.

Let us therefore judge Rahul and Priyanka by gauging their work and their ability. Like many other siblings in politics, let them also get their chance. If they are not able, time will throw them out of politics.Let me conclude this with a quote from Kennedy:
"We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people". -John F. Kennedy.