Overview
- Shashi Tharoor’s article argues India should trade dynasty for meritocracy and proposes term limits, internal party elections and voter education.
- The BJP praised the piece and weaponised it against the Congress and allies, with Shehzad Poonawalla and C R Kesavan calling it insightful and Dharmendra Pradhan endorsing its thrust.
- Congress figures offered divergent reactions, as Udit Raj said dynastic tendencies pervade many sectors, Pramod Tiwari defended the Gandhi family’s legacy and Rashid Alvi stressed voter choice.
- Tharoor cites the Nehru-Gandhi lineage as influential but lists similar successions across parties and states, including the Thackerays, Yadavs, Patnaik, Abdullahs and Muftis, the Badals and the DMK.
- The essay, first published on 31 October and widely circulated this week, has stirred political debate ahead of the Bihar polls with no immediate policy or party reforms announced.