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Rahul Gandhi Says Opposition United To Restore Democracy (Img: X)
New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the government of undermining democratic institutions, declaring that the opposition’s fight was aimed at restoring democracy in India. His remarks came after a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders at his residence, where opposition parties discussed their future course of action amid protests over alleged electoral irregularities.
Addressing the media, Gandhi thanked the people of Delhi for supporting the protests and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were responsible for the situation. He also referred to a woman who, he claimed, was hiding in Dehradun.
"The government must realise that the net is closing. First thing that we would like to do is thank the people of Delhi for standing with this. This is about the future of this country. The people who have done this are: PM Modi, Amit Shah, Gyanesh Kumar and a lady currently hiding in Dehradun," Rahul Gandhi said.
Emphasising unity among opposition parties, Gandhi rejected suggestions that different groups were holding separate protests, saying they shared a common objective.
"We are all standing here together as one. As I said yesterday, there are no parallel protests. There is one singular protest, and the protest has one mission: restoration of democracy in India. Democracy has been destroyed in this country. The election system has been destroyed. The constitution has been torn up and thrown away. We are fighting together to restore democratic rule, genuine democratic rule in this country"
The INDIA bloc briefing followed a high-tea meeting attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, party general secretary KC Venugopal and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, among others. Rahul Gandhi had invited opposition MPs and representatives of student organisations to discuss the alliance’s next steps.
Kharge said the INDIA bloc’s activities over the preceding four days had received a strong public response, with young people and citizens participating in protests in Delhi.
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“You have witnessed the tremendous success of the initiatives undertaken by the INDIA alliance over the past four days; Rahul-ji and other leaders addressed the public's issues with great seriousness and dedication,” he said.
Kharge also accused Prime Minister Modi of attempting to steal votes and said the opposition was prepared to expose what it described as electoral manipulation.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the BJP and the Election Commission of working to undermine democratic institutions. He also alleged that the government was misusing central investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Income Tax Department.
“You are all aware of the manner in which Gyanesh Kumar Gupta has attempted to trample upon democracy; this is clearly a conspiracy by the BJP, Amit Shah, and Modi ji,” Yadav said.
Yadav further criticised the decision to move the protest venue from Jantar Mantar to Delhi’s borders, arguing that the change reflected the government's apprehension about the opposition movement.
“We will continue this fight; we will stand united, fight, and emerge victorious,” he said, adding that those accused of vote theft and election rigging would eventually have to answer to the public.
