Congress leader Chidambaram says India becoming an electoral autocracy
Urges people to speak against BJP authoritarianism
New Delhi: Indian National Congress veteran leader P. Chidambaram has expressed the apprehension of India becoming an electoral autocracy if corrective measures are not taken in this election.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in an interview with The Wire, Chidambaram also questioned the role of the Election Commission in conducting free and fair elections and the atmosphere of fear in India.
Regarding the undemocratic actions being employed by the Modi government against the opposition, he said, “Several opposition leaders are in prison and have been denied bail. By the time the Hon’ble Supreme Court intervenes, the election will be over. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax [department] are overactive in constituencies where the opposition candidates are strong”.
He said, “Complaints against electoral excesses by the Bharatiya Janata Party candidates are ignored or buried. If democracy is not saved in this election, I fear that the next election will have the appearance of a free and fair election but, in reality, it will be an undemocratic election”. “Like some other countries, India will become an electoral autocracy”, he added.
On being asked has the RSS-BJP developed an atmosphere in which the Congress doesn’t feel free to speak its mind, he said, “Everyone lives in fear. Freedom and fear cannot go together. This climate of fear was created by the BJP. Congress is fighting the BJP. I would urge hundreds and thousands of people to speak against the authoritarianism of the BJP”.
He said that Modi tenure has left the country in a vulnerable position, adding, “Price rise and unemployment define the BJP govt’s 10-year tenure”.
