Princeling Anointed

Political dynasties and crony capitalism have become characteristic features of many liberal democratic systems the world over and India has been no exception. It appears that the phenomena of dynasties and cronyism go hand in hand, one strengthening the other and popular elections legitimising both.

Rahul Gandhi’s formal elevation to the post of vice-president of the Congress Party on 19 January in an All India Congress Committee session at the party’s conclave in Jaipur was long expected. It was a promotion by default for the new standard-bearer of the Nehru-Gandhi first family, around whom and under whose helm the Congress Party has been constructed and run for close to five decades. It was also a message to the nation that Rahul Gandhi was going to be the prospective prime ministerial candidate of the Congress in the next Lok Sabha elections.