The run-up to every General Election brings with it a new wave of hope. It's an opportunity for citizens to throw out those who have not delivered on their promises and reward those who have worked for development. There is also great anticipation about first-time entrants-presumably smarter, more educated, and with better ideas-who can take India towards a brighter tomorrow.

There is no question that our country needs young blood and radical thinking at all levels of governance. We require people who are qualified, who will make technology work for our benefit, and who will have enough pride in their ability as well as faith in their decision-making to not grant contracts or frame policies for personal gain. But look at any list of first-time aspirants, and what stares back at us is how a majority of the candidates are sons and daughters of seasoned politicians. In many cases, more than ability or credentials, their name is their only political brand.

It is a tricky question whether the children of political leaders should be denied legitimacy, particularly if they get elected. But the alarming rate at which the numbers are swelling suggests a dangerous trend wherein dynastic politics is playing a dominant role in the electoral process and, as an extension of that, in the exercise of power. These dynasties are no longer restricted to the Gandhi family or the Abdullahs in Kashmir, the Chautalas in Haryana, the Patnaiks in Odisha, Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu and Mulayam Singh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh. They are mushrooming in all corners of the country, highlighting that the politics of feudalism is slowly translating into politics of families that see themselves as business houses with well-thought-out succession plans.

In contrast, look at our winning cricket team, how young cricketing talent has emerged from all across the country as the old guard has moved out.

Over the last few weeks, india today's reporters across India have met 28 children of politician parents who are vying to throw their hats in the ring in the next round of elections, either for a seat in Parliament or in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. These include the progeny of current and former chief ministers- Digvijaya Singh's son Jaivardhan, Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav, Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav, Oommen Chandy's son Chandy Oommen, N. Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh, Ajit Jogi's son Amit, and current bjp president Rajnath Singh's son Pankaj Singh of Uttar Pradesh. Some other leaders who have spoken out against the monolithic politics of the Congress party now find themselves in a position where they're themselves on the cusp of creating dynasties. Our cover story, put together by Deputy Editor Kunal Pradhan, introduces some of the new aspirants and shows how the trend of betajis and betijis is growing in our political system.

It's a well-known fact that 29 per cent of Lok Sabha is already made up of members from political families. This percentage rises to 100 for all MPs below the age of 30, 65 for MPs between the ages of 31 and 40 and 36.8 per cent for MPs between the ages of 41 and 50, which is most disheartening. This speaks of performance being sacrificed at the altar of personal growth, and creates a new ruling class which values connections more than individual ability. Instead of giving us new leaders with fresh thinking, the Indian political system is in danger of becoming a dynastic democracy-not the best sign for a country standing at the crossroads of change.