The Unseen Faces Behind Indian Politics

In India, politics often runs in the family. For many years, the Nehru-Gandhi family has been a big name in Indian politics. They have been involved since India gained independence. This has led to the idea that leading in politics can be passed down through families. This is not just true for the Nehru-Gandhi family. It happens in many political parties across India. Take the Patnaik family, for example. After Biju Patnaik passed away, his son Naveen took over his political role. Naveen then started his own party and became the Chief Minister of Odisha for many years. Similarly, in Maharashtra, the Thackeray family has been in politics for generations. The same goes for the Yadav family in Uttar Pradesh and the Paswan family in Bihar. This family trend is not just limited to a few well-known families. It is common in many parts of India, from local councils to the highest levels of government. Many politicians have family members who are also in politics. This includes ministers and chief ministers. Even younger politicians often have family members who were politicians before them. So, why does this happen? One reason is that having a well-known family name can help a politician get votes. People may trust a candidate more if they know and trust their family. This was especially true in the past when not everyone could read or had access to information. But even now, with more people educated and connected, family names still hold power. Another reason is how political parties work. Often, a small group or even one leader makes decisions. This can lead to family members being chosen over more qualified candidates. Also, running for office costs a lot of money. Families who have been in politics for a long time usually have more money and connections. This makes it harder for new people to enter politics. There is also a cultural aspect. In India, people often respect and follow leaders like they used to follow local landowners or royalty. This can make people believe that political leaders and their families are special and should be in power. This can happen even if the leader is not doing a good job. This family-based politics can be bad for democracy. When leaders are chosen because of their family name, not their skills or hard work, the quality of leadership can suffer. These leaders may not understand the problems of regular people. They may also not be held accountable for their actions. It is time for India to focus on merit, not family names. This would require big changes, like term limits and fair elections within parties. It would also need people to vote based on merit, not family names. Until then, the true meaning of democracy cannot be fully achieved in India.