New Delhi, June 18: LK Advani’s remarks that “forces that can crush democracy are stronger” now and Emergency was possible triggered speculation whether it was directed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Opposition parties felt it was indeed pointed at Modi.
The Congress and other Oposition parties utilised the statement by Advani in an interview to target Modi and accused the government of undermining Parliament and other institutions.
“At the present point of time, the forces that can crush democracy, notwithstanding the constitutional and legal safeguards, are stronger,” Advani said.
In the years since the Emergency in 1975-77, he said, “I don’t think anything has been done that gives the assurance that civil liberties will not be suspended or destroyed again. Not at all.”
“Of course, no one can do it easily…But that it cannot happen again — I will not say that. It could be that fundamental liberties are curtailed again,” said the former deputy prime minister, who is now a member of the BJP’s Margadarshak Mandal.
Advani also said that he did not see any sign in our polity that assures him any outstanding aspect of leadership. A commitment to democracy and to all other aspects related to democracy is lacking, he said.
“Today, I do not say that the political leadership is not mature. I don’t have faith because of its weaknesses. I don’t have the confidence that it (Emergency) cannot happen again,” he said.
Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan latched on to Advani’s remarks saying the “jury is out” from the ruling party itself and he was indeed hinting at an “emergency-like” situation under Modi’s rule.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar supported Advani’s concern that an Emergency-like situation could emerge again and said the state was “facing it on a daily basis”. PTI