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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and CWC member Shashi Tharoor’s sharp criticism of dynastic politics has created uneasiness within the party, with a section of leaders urging the high command to consider disciplinary action against him.
In an article published in a local daily titled “Dynastic Politics: A Threat to Indian Democracy”, Tharoor argued that India should move from family rule to merit-based leadership, a move seen by many in the party as a direct attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Tharoor wrote that the political influence of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, from Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to Rajiv, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has promoted the idea that political leadership is a hereditary right.
“The dominance of political families undermines democracy,” he said, adding that family-based politics undermines accountability, reduces the quality of governance and allows leaders to rely on surnames rather than competence.
The former Union minister further claimed that such families often have significant financial capital accumulated over years in power and they continue to attract large political donations.
Citing a recent study, he said 149 political families have several members serving in state assemblies, while 11 Union ministers and nine chief ministers have family connections.
He also pointed out that in the last 25 years, no MP below 40 years of age has been elected to the Lok Sabha without family lineage.
Tharoor did not limit his criticism to Congress only, citing regional parties like Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, Lok Janshakti Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, People’s Democratic Party, DMK and Bharat Rashtra Samiti as examples of established dynastic control.
He called for transparent internal party elections, legal term limits and reforms to promote merit-based leadership.
While some leaders privately agree with his broader arguments, others consider the comments ill-timed and politically damaging, especially ahead of crucial elections.
State Congress leaders in Kerala, where Tharoor is a core committee member, have so far avoided public comment.
Party insiders say Tharoor’s article has rekindled uneasiness over his strained relations with the central leadership.
Having previously contested the AICC presidential election and often voicing independent positions, Tharoor’s latest comments are being seen as yet another public expression of discontent, with critics warning that it could provide fresh ammunition to the BJP, which has long accused the Congress of being a “family-run enterprise”.
–IANS
SG/SKP