Over a fifth elected legislators in India come from political families. In its report, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) found that 1,107 or 21 per cent of all sitting MPs, MLAs and MLCs come from political families. While State Assemblies have the lowest share at 20 per cent, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State legislative councils report 31 per cent, 21 per cent and 22 per cent representatives from political families.
“Among national parties, 3,214 sitting MPs, MLAs and MLCs have been analysed and 657 (20 per cent) have dynastic backgrounds. The Congress has 32 per cent of the sitting MPs, MLAs and MLCs from dynastic backgrounds, followed by the BJP with 18 per cent, while smaller parties such as the CPI(M) show minimal dynastic influence, with only 8 per cent of their sitting MPs, MLAs and MLCs from dynastic backgrounds,” the report said.
“Among the states, Uttar Pradesh ranks highest in absolute numbers with 141 (23 per cent) out of 604 MPs, MLAs and MLCs analysed having dynastic political backgrounds. Maharashtra follows with 129 (32 per cent) out of 403 sitting MPs, MLAs and MLCs from dynastic backgrounds,” it added.