Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP of Capturing Institutions
He alleged that businessmen are pressured not to support Opposition parties
Berlin: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reiterated his allegation that the BJP is “capturing” the country’s institutional framework, describing it as an attack on India’s democratic system.
Addressing a gathering at the Hertie School in Berlin, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Centre has “weaponised” investigating agencies and accused the BJP of using institutions to consolidate political power.
“There is a wholesale capture of our institutional framework. Our intelligence agencies, ED and CBI, have been weaponised. ED and CBI have zero cases against the BJP, and most political cases are against people who oppose them,” Gandhi said.
He further alleged that businessmen are pressured not to support Opposition parties. “If you are a businessman and try to support the Congress, you are threatened. BJP uses the institutional framework of India as a tool to build political power. Look at the money the BJP has and the Opposition has,” he added.
Gandhi said the Congress would create a “system of resistance” against what he termed the capture of institutions. “There is an attack on the democratic system. We have to find ways to counter this. We are not fighting the BJP, but their capture of the Indian institutional structure,” he said.
Commenting on differences among INDIA bloc parties in state and local elections, Gandhi said the alliance is united against the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) despite having “tactical contests” with one another.
“All the parties of the INDIA alliance don’t agree with the basic ideology of the RSS. We are united on that question, but we have tactical contests. We are united in Parliament and will contest the BJP on laws we disagree with,” he stated.
Gandhi also accused the BJP of proposing to eliminate the Constitution and the idea of equality. “It is a deeper battle than simply elections. We are fighting for an alternate vision of India. BJP is proposing the elimination of the Constitution and equality between states, languages and religions,” he said.
He said many Indians do not support the vision of the Centre and the RSS and view India as a complex and diverse nation. “Are you going to be ruled by the whims of one person, or by a conversation? India is too complex and diverse for one person to decide its future,” Gandhi said.
“A number of people support PM Modi, but many do not agree with his ideology. We believe this vision will fail and create massive tensions in India. It is a clash between two visions of India,” he added.
Rahul Gandhi is currently on a five-day visit to Germany.
Earlier as well, the Congress MP had alleged institutional capture by the RSS. During a discussion on electoral reforms in Parliament, he had claimed that the Election Commission of India was “captured” as part of a broader effort to take over the country’s institutions.
