Leaders of the INDIA coalition urged citizens on Sunday to stand against the BJP in order to safeguard democracy and the Constitution, alleging that the opposition had been denied fair opportunities in the Lok Sabha elections due to what they described as the government's authoritarian measures.
Gathering at the 'Loktantra Bachao' (Save Democracy) rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital, 18 major party leaders came together in a united call for alliance unity in the national interest, marking the opposition's first significant display of strength following the announcement of Lok Sabha polls.
Rahul Gandhi, from the Congress party, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting "match-fixing" in the Lok Sabha polls. He cautioned that if the BJP were to win the election through such efforts and "alter" the Constitution, it would have dire consequences for the nation.
The rally aimed to spotlight the "assault on democracy," including the alleged misuse of governmental agencies against opposition figures following the arrests of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, along with income tax notices issued to parties.
Addressing the crowd, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Arvind Kejriwal, emphasized the importance of preserving the vision of an India that ensures education and healthcare for all, regardless of economic status, pledging that the INDIA coalition would strive to build such a nation if given the opportunity.
Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Congress party, labeled the RSS-BJP alliance as "poison" that had "ruined" the nation, urging all opposition factions to unite against the ruling party in the upcoming elections.
Kharge emphasized the necessity for unity, stating that only through collective efforts could the BJP be challenged effectively. He stressed that the election was crucial for preserving democracy and the Constitution.
Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader and former Bihar deputy CM, echoed the sentiments of "match-fixing" accusations against PM Modi and called on the public to vote out the BJP.
Various leaders expressed concerns over what they perceived as an "undeclared emergency" and a dictatorial approach by the ruling party. They stressed the importance of unity in combating such tendencies and safeguarding democratic values.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin highlighted the significance of unity in defeating Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, advocating for a federal India.
In a collective demand, opposition leaders called for the establishment of a Supreme Court-monitored special investigative team to probe allegations of impropriety by the BJP, particularly concerning Electoral Bonds.
The opposition rally faced criticism from the BJP, which accused it of being a platform to "save family" and "conceal corruption." However, the opposition leaders remained resolute in their call for unity and their commitment to safeguarding democracy and the Constitution.
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