In an interview with The Hindu, Rahul Gandhi, the former President of the Indian National Congress, claimed that Indian democracy suffered significant damage during the reign of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for the past 10 years. He accused the BJP of undermining democratic institutions and said that the country was facing a crisis in terms of freedom of speech, media freedom, and the independence of institutions such as the judiciary and the Election Commission.
Gandhi acknowledged that the Congress party, during its own rule, also faced criticism for weakening democracy. However, he emphasized that the current situation under the BJP was much worse, and he portrayed himself as a leader who is now fighting back against the erosion of democratic values in India.
Gandhi criticized the BJP for promoting a “one-man show” style of governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and for allegedly controlling the mainstream media and spreading misinformation. He also voiced concerns about the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing it of prioritizing wealth over the lives of ordinary citizens.
In terms of his party’s strategy for the upcoming state elections in India, Gandhi said that the Congress would focus on grassroots campaigning and promoting a message of unity and diversity. He expressed confidence that the Congress would be able to win back the support of the Indian people and work towards restoring the country’s democratic institutions.
Overall, Rahul Gandhi’s interview with The Hindu highlighted his criticisms of the BJP government’s record on democracy, his efforts to fight back against perceived injustices, and his vision for the future of Indian politics.
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