Congress, Which Imposed Emergency, Now Pretends to Defend Constitution: Deepak Prakash

Ramgarh: Former BJP Jharkhand president and former Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash launched a sharp attack on the Congress and other opposition parties, accusing them of questioning the credibility of constitutional institutions instead of accepting the people's mandate after repeated electoral defeats. He said the Congress, which imposed the Emergency in 1975, was now claiming to be a champion of the Constitution and democracy.

Prakash was speaking at a press conference organised by the BJP's Ramgarh district unit at La Marital Hotel on Wednesday. The event was held under the banner of the party's ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ campaign and was chaired by district president Sanjeev Kumar Singh.

Rejecting the Congress's allegations of vote theft and bias against the Election Commission, Prakash questioned how the party had managed to get 99 MPs elected under the same electoral system if the poll process was compromised and the Commission was biased.

He alleged that the Congress questioned constitutional institutions whenever it suited its political interests, while accepting electoral mandates delivered through the same system. He said respecting the people's verdict was essential to democracy.

Congress Should Remember the Emergency

Targeting the Congress's campaign to defend the Constitution, Prakash said the party should not forget its own history. He recalled that Emergency was imposed in the country in 1975 under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

During that period, he said, fundamental rights were curtailed, press freedom was restricted through censorship and opposition leaders were jailed. He alleged that the same party, under whose rule democracy and freedom of expression had come under serious pressure, was now projecting itself as the biggest defender of the Constitution.

Raises Concerns Over Infiltration and Voter Lists

Prakash also described infiltration as a serious issue concerning the country's internal security and called for stronger action against it. He said free, transparent and error-free electoral rolls were essential for strengthening democracy, adding that the accuracy and credibility of voter lists formed the foundation of a sound democratic system.

Opposition's Negative Agenda Cannot Derail India's Development: BJP Leader

The BJP leader accused the opposition of attempting to portray a picture of institutional decline and national deterioration, while India was making progress in defence, science, space, technology, the digital economy and infrastructure.

He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country was moving towards self-reliance and the goal of a developed India. Describing the vision of a developed India as more than a political slogan, he said it reflected the aspirations of millions of citizens and the country's broader development goals.

He also called on the opposition to recognise its important role in a democracy and pursue constructive and positive politics.

Through the press conference, the BJP stressed that national interest should remain paramount in matters concerning the credibility of democratic institutions, national security, electoral roll integrity and development.

Those present included district in-charge Surendra Mahto, district general secretary Raju Chaturvedi, state political cell convenor Jainendra Kumar, district media in-charge Rajiv Pamdatt, Bhim Sen Chauhan, town president Sushant Kumar Pandey and senior leaders Sahdev Thakur, Brajesh Pathak and Kunal Das.

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