While the BJP, during its 2014 General Election Campaign was criticizing Nepotism in Politics against the Congress and now Ranjit Singh Chautala, son of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and secured a ticket for the Hisar parliamentary seat in Haryana. This move adds to the BJP's roster of family members of former Prime Ministers and Deputy PMs from various political backgrounds.
The BJP now counts among its ranks relatives of two non-Gandhi Prime Ministers of the Congress, Lal Bahadur Shastri and P V Narasimha Rao. Prabhakar Rao, son of Narasimha Rao, is expected to join the BJP in Telangana soon, while N V Subash, one of Rao's grandsons, is already associated with the party.
Additionally, members of families linked to ex-PMs from socialist backgrounds have found a place within the BJP or its allied parties. Neeraj Shekhar, son of former PM Chandra Shekhar, transitioned to the BJP from the Samajwadi Party in 2019. Naresh Gujral, son of ex-PM I K Gujral, is a prominent figure within the Akali Dal.
Ajit Singh, son of former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh, has traversed through various political alignments, including stints in both NDA and Congress-led governments. Recently, Jayant Chaudhary, son of late Ajit Singh, shifted allegiance to the NDA.
In Karnataka, the Janata Dal (Secular) led by former PM H D Deve Gowda is aligned with the NDA, sparking speculation about his son H D Kumaraswamy's potential role in the Modi government if they emerge victorious.
While Lal Bahadur Shastri's family demonstrates varying political loyalties, members such as Sidharth Nath Singh have emerged as notable figures within the BJP. Similarly, Vibhakar, son of Shastri's eldest son Hari Krishna Shastri, recently joined the BJP.
The BJP's strategy of incorporating relatives of prominent leaders from diverse political backgrounds is seen as an attempt to broaden its appeal and challenge the dominance of the Congress party, particularly the Gandhi family. This move also serves as an outreach to specific communities or followers associated with these leaders.
Drawing inspiration from its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP aims to establish a connection with various regions and communities across the country. By embracing figures from different ideologies, the BJP seeks to underscore its commitment to inclusive politics and national integration.
