Shinde Alleges Foreign Conspiracy To Destabilise India
The Shiv Sena chief demanded that INDIA bloc leaders tender an apology to the country’s 140 crore people: Reports
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of conspiring with foreign forces to destabilise India. Mr Shinde criticised their protests against constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission of India and the judiciary, calling the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court a “black day” in India’s history and demanding an apology from the INDIA bloc.
The Shiv Sena chief’s remarks came a day after Opposition parties took out a “March for Democracy” to the Supreme Court to file a joint petition against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and alleged electoral irregularities, in a major show of strength in New Delhi.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Mr Shinde said that staging a protest march towards the Supreme Court was unprecedented. “It was a black day in Indian history. The morcha to the Supreme Court was an attempt to pressurise the judiciary. This has happened for the first time in the country,” he said.
The Shiv Sena chief demanded that INDIA bloc leaders tender an apology to the country’s 140 crore people for what he termed an insult to the country’s highest judicial institution.
Slamming Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi for describing the agitation as “Shiv Tandav”, Mr Shinde said the protest was not an expression of devotion but an outburst by people desperate to regain power. He also invoked Lord Shiva, saying that if the deity opened his third eye, the INDIA bloc would be destroyed.
The Shiv Sena chief also alleged that Opposition protests in recent days had exposed what he described as contradictions between the Opposition’s stated commitment to the Constitution and its actions. “The INDIA bloc has demonstrated through its protests over the past few days how the Constitution can be undermined and democracy strangled, even while holding the Constitution in their hands,” he said.
Mr Shinde also alleged that several foreign powers were attempting to destabilise India. Referring to remarks by certain individuals that India should not be allowed to become as powerful as China, he claimed that these developments were part of an international conspiracy.
He referred to protests outside the Prime Minister’s residence and ongoing political demonstrations in Delhi, claiming that such activities posed a threat to the country.
The Shiv Sena chief also alleged that repeated electoral defeats against Prime Minister Narendra Modi had driven the Opposition towards attempts to create instability. Referring to developments in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, he questioned the Opposition’s intentions and alleged that foreign powers were conspiring to destabilise India.