Rahul Gandhi’s Modern India Part-III

While visiting the USA, Rahul Gandhi criticised the Modi government in many ways and asked Indians to stand up for democracy and the Indian constitution. So I would like to put some light on Indira Gandhi's democracy.

Despite the existence of a constitution that guarantees the rights and autonomy of individual states within the country, the Congress Party had shamelessly exploited its authority, misusing the constitution to dismiss elected state parties that dared to challenge its dominance. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used Article 356 as many as 27 times (Article 356 gives wide powers to the Union government to assert its authority over a state) and, in most cases, to remove majority governments on the ground of political stability, absence of clear mandate or withdrawal of support, etc. Again after her return as Prime minister in 1980, she removed nine Opposition majority governments in one go.

Through a series of manipulative tactics, the Congress Party has effectively dismantled the democratic principles that the Constitution was designed to uphold. The party's leaders, led by the charismatic but power-hungry Prime Minister, have consistently abused their position to undermine the rights and voices of the states.