janjivan Bureau
NEW DELHI: BJP leader LK Advani has said that “forces that can crush democracy have become stronger” in India, in remarks that are being seen as an embarrassment to the ruling party and have been seized by opposition parties.
“Advani ji is correct in saying that emergency can’t be ruled out. Is Delhi their first experiment?” tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose government is locked in an ugly power tussle with the Centre
“I do not say that the political leadership is not mature. But I don’t have the confidence that it (Emergency) cannot happen again,” Advani said in an interview in Indian Express.
The senior BJP leader said that there are no signs in Indian polity which assure him that the Emergency can’t be imposed in India again.
“I do not see any sign in our polity that assures me, any outstanding aspect of leadership. A commitment to democracy and to all other aspects related to democracy is lacking,” Advani said.
Advani also reminded that the 1975 Emergency happened despite the constitutional afeguards that were in place at that time.
“There aren’t enough safeguards in India in 2015,” Advani said.
Advani’s interview saying “Emergency can happen again in India” may cause further embarrassment to the Modi government.
The Modi government is currently facing demands for external affairs minister’s resignation over her help to former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje is also embroiled in the “Lalitgate” over allegations that she testified in favour of the former IPL chief’s British immigration application in 2011.
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