Hardly the end of dynastic rule

Using data on the family background of members in the 2014, 2009 and 2004 Parliaments, this paper argues against the perception t hat dy nast ic ru le in India is on the way out, thanks to the replacement of the Gandhis and the Congress Party by Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party, and with the rise of "young, aspirational voter s". It points out t hat dy na stic representation in the new Pa rliament is lower t ha n i n 2009, but nevertheless alive and well. Two persistent featu res of I ndia n democracy - the high returns associated with state office and the weak organisation of political parties - are catalysts to this trend, which even the BJP is not immune from.