Uttar Pradesh shows why MLAs do not matter in politics in states

An analysis of incumbency level datasets prepared by the Trivedi Centre for Political Data suggests that becoming an MLA does not bestow much power, at least beyond the current term, to a person in the politics of states.

What does it take to win a state election in India? Charismatic chief ministerial candidates or a committed, yet grounded set of MLAs? Logically, the answer should tilt towards the latter. After all, legislative majorities are gained or lost at the level of assembly constituencies.

State legislatures are structurally weak when it comes to keeping a check on the executive, the central doctrine of separation of powers in the Indian constitution.(HT File)

Of the 312 BJP MLAs who won their seat in the 2017 assembly election, only 19 had won twice or more times previously.

Since 1977, the share of first-time MLAs has never been lower than 65%, and the share of experienced politicians (elected more than twice) has never been more than 15% of the assembly.

In 2017, only 40% of all 403 sitting MLAs re-ran. And only 30% of those who re-ran got re-elected.

Muslims make up only 9% of UP’s professional class, that is to say 24 individuals.