Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi stirred controversy during his address in Berlin, accusing the BJP of undermining India’s democratic institutions, manipulating elections, and weakening the Constitution, prompting sharp reactions from the ruling party.
Claims Of ‘Vote Theft’ And Electoral Manipulation
Speaking at an event at Berlin’s Hertie School, Rahul Gandhi reiterated his allegation of “vote theft” by the BJP. He claimed the Congress had won the Haryana Assembly elections in 2014 and alleged that the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections were unfair. He said the party had raised serious questions about electoral transparency and accused the Election Commission of failing to respond to irregularities, including alleged duplication of voter names. According to him, these issues pointed to a “full-scale assault” on India’s institutional framework.
Accusation Of Institutional Capture And Agency Misuse
Rahul alleged that central investigative agencies such as the ED and CBI have been “weaponised” to target opposition leaders while sparing the BJP. He claimed businessmen supporting opposition parties were intimidated and argued that the ruling party uses institutions as tools to consolidate political power. He said the opposition’s fight was not just against the BJP, but against what he described as the capture of India’s democratic structure.
Economic Critique And China’s Dominance
The Congress leader also criticised India and Western nations for allowing China to dominate global manufacturing. He argued that over-reliance on services-based economies has weakened job creation, fuelling political polarisation worldwide. Rahul warned that democracy itself would struggle to survive if countries like India failed to rebuild strong production-based economic models.
Allegation Of Constitutional Erosion
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of proposing the “elimination of the Constitution,” alleging it seeks to dismantle the principles of equality among states, languages, religions, and citizens. He stressed that India’s democratic framework is a global public good and claimed the BJP treats institutions as its own property rather than as neutral pillars of democracy.
BJP Hits Back Strongly
The BJP responded sharply, accusing Rahul Gandhi of defaming India on foreign soil. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that the Congress wants chaos and unrest in Indian democracy, while Union minister Shobha Karandlaje said Rahul behaves irresponsibly by speaking against the nation abroad instead of focusing on development issues at home.
