Individuals from non-political backgrounds have found it very challenging to succeed in politics.
On Independence Day, during his speech from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant suggestion. He expressed the desire to see one lakh new individuals, whose families have never been involved in politics, enter the democratic system at the levels of panchayats, municipal corporations, assemblies, and Parliament in the coming years. This initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s campaign against dynastic politics and caste-based favouritism. He also reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption, even at the risk of political setbacks. Certainly, both efforts are commendable and could bring a new breeze of integrity and ideological diversity to politics. However, past and present experiences show that achieving success in politics solely through honesty and service has always been a difficult path since around 25 years after Independence.
Individuals from non-political backgrounds such as education, administration, law, cinema, agriculture, industry, police, military, NGOs, and religious institutions have found it very challenging to succeed in politics, while adhering to the ideals of honesty.
An interesting fact related to this issue is that Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, lost two Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate. Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Rajmohan Gandhi also faced defeat in the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi and East Delhi, while another grandson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, lost in the vice-presidential election. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s sons, Sunil Shastri and Anil Shastri, won a few elections and served as ministers in Uttar Pradesh, but they were not considered successful in politics because of their idealism. In contrast, the Nehru-Gandhi family has consistently succeeded in politics, though it has faced numerous allegations. Prime Ministers like Choudhary Charan Singh, I.K. Gujral, and H.D. Deve Gowda also had family members involved in politics, facing both victories and controversies.
It can be said that members of various provincial and national parties, including chief ministers, ministers, MPs, legislators, councillors, and party officials, have experienced wins and losses in elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea that no family member should inherit leadership positions in parties as “royal” successors is widely supported. Instead, individuals should rise through active service in their party, region, and society, and not based on caste, religion, or community interests.
The question now arises regarding other fields. Individuals entering politics from education have often succeeded through student and teacher politics, but many struggle to win elections or avoid accusations of corruption with limited financial resources. Some leaders have tried to work honestly but have not found much success in electoral politics. Legal professionals entering politics have continued a tradition from the Independence movement, but they have often relied on party support and connections in judicial circles and historical corruption or criminal cases.
Former bureaucrats have also joined political parties and contested elections post-retirement. However, if an officer starts preparing for political elections while still in service, it is natural to question their neutrality during their tenure. The immediate transition from bureaucracy to politics is problematic both for governance and for party workers. Such practices can demoralize long-standing party workers who feel sidelined. Political analysts view this trend as dangerous for democracy, as it implies that the officers were not impartial during their service and that officials should not show loyalty to any party over the government. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, K.K. Nair, a former DM of Faizabad, was elected to the Lok Sabha on a Janata Party ticket, while former DGP Shri Shachandra Dikshit joined BJP and later VHP, playing a key role in the Ram Mandir movement.
In recent years, several officials like Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and others have successfully joined BJP, but they had to make compromises with their idealism to succeed in elections.
Even well-respected, honest administrators like T.N. Seshan could not win elections. Yashwant Sinha, who left government service to join politics with support from leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, faced allegations of corruption and large-scale financial scandals. Long ago, Govind Narayan Singh, who shifted from the administrative service, became Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh but his government was short-lived. Ajit Jogi, an IAS officer who became Chief Minister with Congress’ support, faced accusations of corruption and damaging the socio-economic interests of tribal areas in Chhattisgarh. Similarly, Arvind Kejriwal, who entered politics through the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, faced serious corruption charges and jail time, despite his initial commitment to honest politics.
Leaders from the business and film industries have often found success in politics through their popularity, though they frequently had to make compromises and could not provide substantial benefits to their constituencies. In South India, leaders like M.G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, and Karunanidhi had opportunities as Chief Ministers but could not escape corruption allegations.
Despite these bitter experiences and challenges, there should remain hope and effort for new blood, fresh perspectives, and renewed expectations
in democracy.