India’s opposition unites against pre-election arrest, accuses PM Modi
They alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party had tampered with the election and imposed significant tax obligations on them
Opposition parties in India came together on Sunday to demonstrate against the apprehension of a prominent leader just weeks before a national election.
They accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party of manipulating the election and subjecting them to substantial tax demands.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, proclaimed at a rally in New Delhi, “Narendra Modi is attempting to manipulate this election,” while the crowd echoed with cries of “Shame!”
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and a vocal critic of Modi, known for his anti-corruption stance, was arrested on March 21 on allegations of corruption related to issuing liquor licenses.
This occurred less than a month before the commencement of voting in a general election widely anticipated to secure Modi’s mandate for a rare third term.
The Aam Aadmi Party, led by Kejriwal, asserts that the charges are fabricated and politically driven. In contrast, Modi’s government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) refute claims of political interference, stating that law enforcement agencies are simply executing their duties.
“If the BJP prevails in this manipulated election and alters the constitution, it will ignite turmoil across the nation,” Gandhi warned.
He emphasized the election’s significance in safeguarding the country and upholding the constitution.
Various opposition leaders, including regional party heads who have resolved their differences on seat allocations, accompanied Gandhi at the rally at Ramlila Maidan.
Modi asserted that his anti-corruption campaign has unsettled the opposition, framing the election as a battle between his party and its allies, who aim to eliminate corruption, and the opposition, which seeks to shield corrupt practices.
During a campaign rally in Uttar Pradesh, Modi remarked: “Prominent corrupt individuals are in custody, and even the Supreme Court is denying them bail.”
In addition to facing crackdowns and investigations by India’s financial crime enforcement agency, the Congress party alleges it is being subjected to “tax terrorism” through substantial tax claims and the freezing of its bank accounts, which it perceives as efforts to financially incapacitate the party.
Critics contend that Modi and the BJP have weaponized investigative bodies and tax authorities to target political adversaries and diminish the prospects of a fair election, an allegation that the BJP refutes.
Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Arvind Kejriwal, declared at the rally, “This authoritarianism will not succeed in India. We will resist, and we will triumph.”
Source: Reuters
