The Oligarchisation of India’s Democracy Evidence from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

The intensifying fusion of political and economic power in India is discussed. Employing data on the wealth and background of politicians, it is shown that over the last 20 years, India’s politicians have not only become much wealthier but also more commonly have a business background. The term “oligarchisation” is proposed for this trend and employing fieldwork on the 2024 assembly elections conducted in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh simultaneously with the parliamentary elections, two key drivers of this process are identified.