Fadnavis accuses Congress of Samvidhan chori during Emergency
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back at Opposition allegations of vote theft during a march in Thane.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Congress party of committing "Samvidhan chori" (theft of the Constitution) during the Emergency, according to The New Indian Express. Speaking at the BJP's 'Save Democracy' march in Thane on Sunday, Fadnavis responded to "vote chori" allegations made by the Opposition.
The Chief Minister claimed that global forces and social media algorithms are being utilised to spread false information and cause instability in the nation. He described the march as a response to efforts to create anarchy.
Fadnavis alleged that the Congress government, under Indira Gandhi, subverted the judiciary and democracy. He cited the 1975 Allahabad High Court verdict that set aside Gandhi's election and claimed the government passed retrospective constitutional amendments to stop judicial scrutiny.
Referring to the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, Fadnavis alleged that the Congress government weakened protections for fundamental rights. He stated that these protections were only restored after the Janata Party took power in 1977.
The Chief Minister also alleged that the Opposition is concerned about the removal of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from electoral rolls. He said the struggle would continue until all such infiltrators are removed from the rolls.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also participated in the march. Shinde challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to provide evidence for allegations of vote theft and criticised the Opposition's stance on democratic institutions.