The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a pointed critique of the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor labeled dynastic politics a “grave threat” to Indian democracy.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded to Tharoor’s remarks, suggesting that his comments were based on personal experience. “I welcome the statement of Shashi Tharoor. Whatever he said must be correct. He would have said this on the basis of his experience. His remarks will obviously hurt the Congress party and the RJD because their politics are limited to a family. They cannot think outside their family,” Pradhan stated.
In an article titled “Indian Politics Are a Family Business” published on Project Syndicate, Tharoor criticized dynastic politics in India and emphasized the need to transition towards “merit-based leadership,” indirectly targeting the Congress leadership and its allies in the INDIA bloc, which include the Samajwadi Party (SP) and RJD.
Tharoor pointed out that, historically, figures from the Nehru-Gandhi family have dominated Indian politics, from the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to current leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He noted that this trend fosters the perception that political leadership is a “birthright.”
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla highlighted how Tharoor’s article exposes the Gandhi family’s influence in shaping Indian politics as a “family business.” He remarked, “A very insightful piece has been written by Dr. Tharoor on how Indian politics has become family business… the Gandhi-Vadra dynasty has cemented this negative thought that political position and power can be a matter of birthright.” Poonawalla suggested that Tharoor’s comments would likely make RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi uncomfortable.
Reacting to Tharoor’s piece, Congress leaders claimed that dynastic politics is prevalent across party lines, simultaneously defending the Nehru-Gandhi family’s leadership. Congress leader Udit Raj pointed out that dynastic influence extends beyond politics, affecting the business sector, judicial system, and film industry. He asserted that such trends limit opportunities to a few prominent families and noted that dynastic influence exists in numerous sectors in India.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari defended the Nehru-Gandhi family, contending that leadership stems from “merit.” He claimed that Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi exemplified capable leadership, having served the country with dedication and sacrifice. Tiwari challenged the characterization of the Gandhi family as a dynasty by asking, “Which other family in India had the sacrifice, dedication, and ability that this family possessed?”
Tharoor’s comments have stirred controversy in political circles, and he abruptly faced criticism after praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and condemning former U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent trip to the U.S. and other countries.
