BJP's Nadda Accuses Congress of Perpetuating 'Emergency Mindset'

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Jagat Prakash Nadda launched a harsh criticism against the Congress, accusing the party of maintaining an 'Emergency mindset,' akin to the period when Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in 1975. His remarks were made in a video shared on platform X, marking 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' observed annually on June 25.

Nadda stated that incidents reflecting attempts to undermine the Constitution's core have marked dark chapters in India's democratic history. In his video, Nadda alleged that Indira Gandhi declared democracy dead 50 years ago, using the pretext of 'internal unrest' to impose Emergency. He claimed Congress continues this mindset today, a direct attack on democracy.

Recalling the events of the Emergency, Nadda highlighted that Indira Gandhi's election victory was nullified by Allahabad High Court in 1975, leading to severe restrictions on press freedom and the jailing of opposition leaders. He accused the misuse of Article 352 for this purpose. The 1975 events followed a legal challenge by Raj Narain, which led to a conditional stay by the Supreme Court, enabling Gandhi to retain power until the Emergency's imposition.

(With inputs from agencies.)