Democracy is in danger, warns Opposition at mega Delhi rally
INDIA bloc puts up a show of unity in solidarity with Delhi CM Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren at Ramlila Maidan; leaders urge Election Commission to ensure a level playing field, flag ‘coercive action’ by Central agencies
nder the banner of “Loktantra Bachao” or “Save Democracy”, leaders of the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) stood united at the Ramlila Maidan on Sunday in solidarity with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who were arrested in separate cases by the Enforcement Directorate. The bloc also laid down their 2024 Lok Sabha election pitch, calling it a “fight to save the Constitution”.
In speech after speech, the Opposition leaders lamented the lack of a level playing field for them in the election, citing “coercive action” by Central agencies against them and
Uincome tax notices financially crippling them.
This was in effect the first public meeting of the 10monthold INDIA bloc, which has been hit by desertions and conflicts over seatsharing arrangements.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi asserted that without EVM manipulation and other intimidatory tactics, the BJP and its allies cannot cross 180 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
“When pressure is put on umpires and captains, players are bought off and the match is won in cricket, it is called matchfixing. We have the Lok Sabha election before us. Who selected the umpires? Before the match started, two players were arrested... Narendra Modi is trying to do matchfixing in the election,” Mr. Gandhi said.
Mr. Gandhi sought to remind the crowd of remarks from a BJP MP, who he did not name, that the BJP will change the Constitution when it gets over 400 seats.
Sounding an alarm, Mr. Gandhi said, “If the Constitution is finished, this country will be finished” and “the country will be torn apart into different States”.