Hyderabad: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged a systematic weakening of democracy over the past decade. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of undermining democratic institutions and questioned electoral processes.
Addressing the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad on Saturday, November 14, the Congress leader alleged irregularities in the 2014 and 2024 general elections. He also asserted that fascists had no place in politics and criticised what he described as the erosion of democratic institutions.
Rahul Gandhi alleges systematic weakening of democracy
Gandhi claimed that India’s democratic system had suffered serious damage since the 2014 general elections. “The 2014 elections were unlike anything witnessed before, with hundreds of crores of rupees spent. India’s democratic system was destroyed in 2014, and irregularities took place in the 2024 general elections as well,” Rahul Gandhi alleged.
He argued that the systematic weakening of democracy had continued even as the country took pride in describing itself as democratic. The Congress leader also said politics involved more than rhetoric and sharp criticism. He stressed his concerns about the functioning of democratic institutions and the electoral process.
Referring to the Maharashtra elections, Gandhi questioned the sharp change in electoral outcomes between the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. He said his alliance had secured more seats in the parliamentary elections but subsequently lost the state Assembly elections.
“In the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, our alliance won more seats, yet we lost the Assembly elections held just three months later. Over 70 lakh new votes were registered in those three months, and the BJP won only because of these additional votes,” he claimed.
Gandhi linked his allegations about Maharashtra’s electoral results to his broader concerns over democratic institutions. However, his remarks at the summit represented allegations by the Congress leader, rather than independently established findings of electoral wrongdoing.
Rahul Gandhi questions Gautam Adani’s rise
Gandhi also questioned industrialist Gautam Adani’s rapid rise in global wealth rankings over the previous 12 years. He alleged that Adani had benefited from decisions taken after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister.
“Where was Adani 12 years ago? He was ranked around 600th, and after Modi became Prime Minister, he rose to become the world’s second-richest person. Ports, airports, and infrastructure projects were handed over to him. Businessmen who benefited from the government are now running the institutions,” Rahul Gandhi alleged.
The Congress leader connected his criticism of business interests and government decisions with his allegations about institutional independence. He claimed that individuals who benefited from government policies had gained influence over institutions.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and several Telangana Ministers also attended the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad.