Jay Shah: A case study in BJP’s contradictory stance on nepotism

In an era where meritocracy is frequently lauded as the cornerstone of democratic governance, the rise of Jay Shah, son of Home Minister Amit Shah, to the chairmanship of the International Cricket Council serves as a curious case study in the contradiction between political rhetoric and practice.

The ruling BJP denounces nepotism with great fanfare, even as it quietly orchestrates the meteoric rise of one of its own scions – in the world of sports governance at that. The narrative of Jay Shah’s climb to power is nothing short of extraordinary, albeit not in the sense that it defies expectation.

Rather, it follows the much-trodden path of privilege and access, a route that is so familiar in politics that it has almost become a cliché.

Jay Shah’s journey from a relatively obscure figure in the world of cricket to the pinnacle of the ICC hierarchy is symbolic of a broader phenomenon in Indian politics: the persistent and pervasive influence of political dynasties.

It is worth noting that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has made the fight against nepotism a central theme of its political discourse.

The party has consistently portrayed itself as a champion of meritocracy, contrasting its own ethos with that of the Congress Party, which it has often criticised for being a family-run enterprise. The BJP’s narrative posits that its leaders have risen through the ranks based on merit, hard work and dedication, rather than family connections.

Yet, Jay Shah’s ascent in the world of cricket administration raises uncomfortable questions about the sincerity of the BJP’s anti-nepotism stance.

In 2009, Jay Shah made his foray into cricket administration as a member of the Gujarat Cricket Association, an organisation headed by none other than his father, Amit Shah. The younger Shah’s rise within the GCA was swift, and it was not long before he was appointed its joint secretary.

His subsequent election as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2019 further solidified his position within the cricketing establishment, paving the way for his eventual elevation to the ICC chairmanship at the rather young age of 35.

Critics of Jay Shah’s rise might argue that his career trajectory is less a testament to his administrative acumen and more a reflection of his familial ties. After all, the GCA, BCCI, and ICC are not isolated institutions; they are deeply intertwined with the political apparatus of the country and beyond.

The symbiotic relationship between cricket administration and politics in India is well-documented, with numerous politicians having held influential positions in the BCCI over the years. In this context, Jay Shah’s rise can be seen as part of a broader trend of political figures leveraging their influence to secure positions of power in cricket administration.

To focus solely on Jay Shah’s rise to power would be to miss the larger point: the hypocrisy inherent in the BJP’s rhetoric on nepotism. While the party has been vocal in its criticism of political dynasties, it has been conspicuously silent on the issue when it comes to the rise of individuals like Jay Shah.

The BJP’s anti-nepotism stance, it seems, is more a tool of political convenience than a matter of principle. One might wonder how the BJP justifies this apparent contradiction.

The answer, perhaps, lies in the party’s ability to craft narratives that resonate with the public, even when those narratives are at odds with reality. The BJP has been remarkably successful in portraying itself as a party of the people, a party that stands for meritocracy and good governance.

Yet, the reality is far more complex, and the rise of Jay Shah is a reminder that meritocracy in politics is often more a matter of perception than practice. 

Jay Shah’s ascension as ICC chairman is not just a story of individual ambition; it is a reflection of the broader dynamics of power and privilege in politics.

It highlights the enduring influence of political dynasties in the country. While the BJP may harp on the virtues of merits, nepotism is far from dead – it has merely learned to wear a different mask.