In Focus podcast | Have elections in India become plutocratic?

In this episode, M.R. Madhavan and Rangarajan R speak to us about the rising cost of elections and what it means for India’s democracy.

As Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry head to the polls, India’s vibrant democracy is on full display once again. But behind the rallies and roadshows, there’s a growing concern: elections are becoming increasingly expensive. With political parties spending heavily on campaigns, advertising, and outreach, the role of money in shaping electoral competition is under scrutiny. Data shows that nearly 93% of India’s Members of Parliament are crorepatis, raising questions about whether access to political power is becoming more unequal. What does this mean for smaller parties and independent candidates? Is the system still a level playing field — and what would it take to fix it?

Guests:

M.R. Madhavan, Co-founder and president of the PRS Legislative Research

Rangarajan R is a former IAS officer and author of ‘Courseware on Polity Simplified’

Host: Nivedita V

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian