New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has alleged that India’s institutional framework is under a “full-scale assault” and has been systematically weaponised to favour the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His remarks, delivered during an address at the Hertie School in Berlin, have triggered a sharp political backlash from the BJP, which accused him of maligning India on foreign soil.
Speaking to students and faculty in Germany, Gandhi said the Congress believes there is a fundamental problem with India’s electoral machinery and a widespread capture of institutions meant to function independently.
“We fundamentally believe that there is a problem with the electoral machinery in India. The second thing is a wholesale capture of our institutional framework,” Gandhi said, citing central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and intelligence agencies.
He alleged that these bodies have been selectively used against political opponents of the BJP. “Look at the number of cases the ED and the CBI have against BJP leaders — you’ll find the answer is zero. Look at the number of cases against those who oppose them,” he claimed.
‘Institutions Built by Congress, Used as Political Tools’: Gandhi
Gandhi argued that the Congress helped build India’s institutional framework and never viewed it as belonging to a single party. “That’s not how the BJP sees it. They see institutions as their own and use them as tools for building political power,” he said.
He also highlighted what he described as a massive imbalance in political funding. “Look at how much money the BJP has compared to the opposition. You’ll see a ratio of 1:30,” Gandhi said, asserting that such disparities further undermine democratic competition.
According to him, merely flagging concerns about elections is not enough. “We have to create a system of opposition resistance that will succeed,” he added.
On INDIA Alliance and RSS Ideology
Responding to questions about the INDIA opposition alliance, Gandhi said the unity among its members goes beyond electoral arithmetic. “None of the INDIA alliance parties agree with the basic ideology of the RSS. That’s the common thread,” he said.
While acknowledging tactical disagreements among allies, he maintained that the opposition remains united in Parliament, particularly on legislation they oppose. “This is a deeper battle than elections. We are fighting for an alternative vision of India,” Gandhi said.
BJP Hits Back: ‘Defame India Tour’
Gandhi’s remarks drew an immediate and strong response from the BJP. Party president and Union Minister JP Nadda accused the Congress leader of abusing India while Parliament was in session.
“When Parliament is in session, Rahul Gandhi is in Germany giving speeches against India. At a time when Prime Minister Modi is being respected globally, he goes abroad to defame the country,” Nadda said.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed the criticism, calling Gandhi’s overseas remarks part of a recurring pattern. “He is not the Leader of Opposition, but the Leader of Propaganda. He praises China and defames India, claiming institutions have collapsed and manufacturing has vanished,” Poonawalla said.
The political exchange underscores the deepening divide between the government and the opposition over institutional integrity, democratic processes, and the role of political leaders in raising such concerns on international platforms.