Reservation, seat rotation weaken political families in Rajasthan's Zila Parishads

Rajasthan is a big state in India where people vote in local elections.

In each district, there is a leader called the Zila Pramukh who heads the district council.

For many years, powerful political families chose their own relatives for this job.

Now the rules have changed.

A lottery system decides which group a seat is reserved for, and seats rotate between different communities.

Because of this, families can no longer always put their own son, daughter or wife in charge.

In some districts, the top seat, like the one in Nagaur, now goes to people from Scheduled Castes, and in Jaisalmer it goes to Scheduled Tribes for the first time in 30 years.

This means old leaders have to find new candidates who fit the new rules.

Many families are upset because they have lost their usual advantage.

Leaders are now working hard to support other people who might win the post instead.