In the outgoing Bihar Assembly, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) accounts for the highest number of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) with dynastic ties. An investigation by The Indian Express revealed that out of the 243 members of the Assembly, 70, or 28.81%, are from political families.
The RJD, led by the family of Lalu Prasad Yadav, has the highest proportion of dynastic MLAs, with 30 out of their 71 legislators (42.25%) having familial connections to politics. Following the RJD, other parties, including the BJP and JD(U), also have a significant number of leaders with political pedigree.
Dynastic politics is not a new phenomenon in Bihar, with political power often being passed down through generations. This trend is evident across party lines, with sons, daughters, spouses, and close relatives of established politicians contesting elections. Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, sons of former Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, exemplify this legacy-driven approach.
Several other prominent figures in Bihar's political arena also come from political families:
- Nitish Mishra (BJP), son of former CM Jagannath Mishra.
- Chetan Anand (JD(U)), son of MP Lovely Anand.
- Deepa Manjhi (HAM), daughter-in-law of Jitan Ram Manjhi.
- Lata Singh, daughter of former Union Minister RCP Singh.
Within the JD(U)-BJP state government, there are seven other ministers in the list of dynasts from the outgoing Assembly: Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (JDU), Nitin Nabin (BJP), Maheshwar Hazari (JDU), Sheela Kumari (JDU), Sumit Kumar Singh (JD-U), Sunil Kumar (JD-U) and Jayant Raj (JD-U).
The trend of dynastic politics raises concerns about the sidelining of grassroots workers and the increasing influence of inherited power in Indian politics. Experts suggest that prioritizing family names over merit, ideology, or commitment to public service creates an uneven playing field, making it difficult for independent or first-generation leaders to contest elections.
Despite criticisms, dynastic politics continues to be a significant factor in Bihar's elections, with all major parties fielding candidates with political connections. As the state prepares for upcoming elections, the influence of political families is expected to remain a key aspect of the electoral landscape.
