The BJP may not be under the influence of one family, but certain families have come to dominate within it. Similarly, in all the national, state and regional parties, barring perhaps the Left, family and kinship are the first criterion of leadership. Rahul Gandhi is not the only crown prince seeking to use his family’s past glory to come to power.

While many such recruits and successors do get elected, most of them are unable to develop the stature to strengthen the party.

Recently we have been hearing of some young MPs who, cutting across party lines, want to work together for issue-based politics. This is a welcome move indeed. However, predictably, there are a few among them outside the established political families of the country. Such de-institutionalised political recruitment and party processes not only restrict our political horizon, they diminish Indian democracy.

The writer is director, Centre for Public Affairs, Noida