A major political controversy broke out on Monday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized on Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s recent remarks about political dynasties, claiming they were a direct attack on Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav.
The row stems from an October 31 opinion piece published on Project Syndicate, where Tharoor wrote at length about how lineage-driven politics undermines governance and meritocracy. His comments, while analytical in tone, quickly turned into a political flashpoint.
According to the BJP, Tharoor had “directly attacked” the Congress leadership, calling Rahul Gandhi “India’s nepo kid” and Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav a “chhota nepo kid.”
Congress Leaders Defend Party, Gandhi Family
While the Congress has not issued an official statement yet, several senior party members have spoken out in defense of the Gandhi family and in response to Tharoor’s remarks.
Congress leader Udit Raj said dynastic continuity exists not only in politics but across all professions in India.
“A doctor’s son becomes a doctor, a businessman’s child continues in business, and politics is no exception,” Raj told ANI.
He further argued that family-based politics reflects societal reality and cited examples including Amit Shah’s son, Mamata Banerjee, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Sharad Pawar, saying:
“The loss is that opportunities remain confined to families alone.”
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari defended Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, saying their leadership came from sacrifice and merit, not privilege.
“Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi both sacrificed their lives for the nation. Which other family in Indian politics has shown such dedication and ability?” Tiwari asked, dismissing the BJP’s criticism.
Congress leader Rashid Alvi echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that in a democracy, the public decides who governs.
“You cannot bar someone from politics because their father was an MP. This happens in every field. Ultimately, it’s the people who choose,” Alvi said.
What Tharoor Wrote in His Opinion Piece
In his Project Syndicate article, Shashi Tharoor discussed the impact of political nepotism on governance quality and democratic values.
He acknowledged the historic role of the Nehru-Gandhi family in India’s independence and political journey but said their long-standing influence had also “cemented the idea that political leadership can be a birthright.”
“When political power is determined by lineage, rather than ability, commitment, or grassroots engagement, the quality of governance suffers,” Tharoor wrote.
He argued that when a candidate’s “main qualification is their surname,” meritocracy and accountability erode, leading to weaker institutions.
Internal Rifts Within Congress
Tharoor’s candid observations come amid signs of internal unease within the Congress.
Recently, controversy arose after the government selected Tharoor to lead the Operation Sindoor delegation, even though the Congress had not recommended him for the role.
Following his praise for the 2015 Uri surgical strikes during a foreign visit, Udit Raj had labeled him the BJP’s “super spokesperson,” reflecting underlying tensions between Tharoor and sections of the party’s leadership.
The Larger Debate: Nepotism and Meritocracy in Indian Politics
Tharoor’s remarks have reignited the long-standing debate over dynastic politics in India, an issue that cuts across party lines. From the Gandhi family in the Congress to regional powerhouses like the Yadavs, Pawars, and Banerjees, family-driven political networks remain a defining feature of Indian democracy.
While critics argue that such practices stifle new leadership, defenders say political legacy does not preclude capability or public service. Tharoor’s article, though written as a broader analysis, has once again laid bare this tension at the heart of Indian politics.