Dynastic candidates were fielded across Maharashtra in assembly elections
Dynastic candidates — those with family ties to established political families — were fielded across party lines in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, with more than 80 per cent of constituencies featuring such contestants. But political connections did not guarantee success as a modest 30 per cent of such candidates won, noted a report compiled by activist and political observer Heramb Kulkarni.
Even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which routinely targets the Opposition over dynastic politics, had over 30 per cent of its contestants with ties to political families. Of the total 288 constituencies, 237 (82 per cent) saw candidates from political families. They included the children, spouses, siblings or other relatives of former and sitting MLAs, MPs and ministers, said the report released on Wednesday. The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) led by veteran Sharad Pawar had the highest proportion of dynastic leaders in its candidate list.
Of the 86 candidates it fielded, 39 or 45 per cent were related to established politicians. Of 59 candidates fielded by the rival Ajit Pawar-led NCP, 26 or 44 per cent had 'family connections'. The Congress followed closely with 41.5 per cent such candidates (42 of 101). Of the 149 nominees fielded by the BJP (which contested the highest number of seats among all parties), 49 or 32 per cent were related to political leaders. The two Shiv Sena factions had comparatively less dynastic representation in their lists.
The Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena (UBT) nominated 19
