Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has put the spotlight back on dynasty politics in India, blaming the Nehru-Gandhi family for it.

But, contrary to popular perception, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru didn't launch dynastic politics in India. The Nehru-Gandhi dynasty became India’s number one political family because of two men from outside the clan—Lal Bahadur Shastri, and K Kamaraj, known as the Kingmaker in the 1960s.

NEHRU’S CHOICE: DEMOCRACY AND SHASTRI

Before his death in 1964, Nehru had indicated his choice was Shastri, who was inducted into his cabinet as a minister soon after the then PM suffered a stroke. But, he wanted the party to elect his successor.

When asked who would replace him, Nehru said: “The party will decide. I have no person

See Full Page