Debates about ‘dynasty politics’ in India have surfaced again in the wake of Rahul Gandhi’s coronation as Congress president.
In September, Arun Jaitley said that he was embarrassed when Rahul Gandhi called dynasty politics a part of India’s character. “This is a country where a tea seller became the prime minister,” the finance minister said, responding to Gandhi’s remarks.
Similarly, in October, Narendra Modi subtly mocked the Nehru-Gandhi family when he termed the Gujarat Assembly elections as a battle between “vikasvaad” (development) and “vanshvaad” (dynasty).