Hyderabad, Dec. 1 -- The First Family of the Congress is accused of running a political dynasty - no doubt there are hordes who are beholden to it for political benefits received and expected - but there are other parties too that have been much the same. For instance, Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party. At one time, there were at least a dozen members from the UP's strongman's family, from MPs to a Zilla panchayat.

Examples galore. Each state has its own political dynasties though the Bharatiya Janata Party tries to position itself as an anti-dynasts; it has its own share but not as big as the DMK's or the pre-split NCP or and the Shiv Sena. In Maharashtra, a new high - or low? - where the BJP has nominated close to a third of a muni...