The Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty Poised to Return to Power in India

As the cameras caught up with Rahul Gandhi in his rural constituency on Thursday, the descendant of three Indian prime ministers, Mr. Gandhi's grin couldn't be contained. The Indian National Congress, controlled by the Gandhi family in fact or in spirit since before independence, emerged as the largest party in Parliament, with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul's mother, poised to become India's next prime minister.

Key Takeaways:

• The Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which has controlled the Indian National Congress since before independence, is poised to return to power with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul's mother, likely to become India's next prime minister.
• Rahul Gandhi, 33, has quickly warmed to the attention of the media and voters, often invoking his family history to qualify for the high-profile debut.
• Priyanka Gandhi, 32, Rahul's sister, has emerged as a key campaigner and has been featured on countless Congress billboards alongside her mother and grandmother, Indira Gandhi.
• Sonia Gandhi, born in Italy, was drawn into politics only when the party needed leadership and has shown a surprising tenacity in defending her late husband's reputation and attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party.
• The Nehru-Gandhi family has maintained a populist appeal despite a privileged life, partly due to the sense that they have sacrificed more than their share, including forming links to the masses through rural constituency wins.
• Many analysts say the Congress Party will have to break up the family dynasty and become more democratic in the face of competitive challenges, ultimately making India's politics more meritocratic.

Statistics:

• The Indian National Congress has controlled the country since before independence.
• Sonia Gandhi's late husband, Rajiv Gandhi, led India for five years in the late 1980s.
• Indira Gandhi served as prime minister for 16 years.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, Sonia's father-in-law, was India's prime minister for 17 years after independence.
• Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal's father, was president of the Congress Party in the 1930s.
• The Gandhi family's dynasty began with Indira Gandhi, who created the dynasty by bringing her sons into the Congress Party.

Sources:

• "Four members of my family before me retained their freshness," said Rahul Gandhi, quoted in the article.
• Written in a recent essay in The Telegraph, quoted by Ramachandra Guha, "She brought her sons into the Congress, and made it clear to all, within and outside the party, that she expected them to succeed her," referring to Indira Gandhi.
• A Congress spokesman quoted in the article said, "Both children have so far exhibited an ease in dealing with the public that their mother appears to lack."
• Pramod Mahajan, a leading B.J.P. election strategist, noted that Congress was still seen as a defender of the poor.