Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing a direct parallel between the current use of central investigative agencies against opposition-ruled states and the disruptive 2016 demonetisation move. Gandhi framed this as a systematic assault on India's federal structure, vowing a strong defence of state rights if the opposition INDIA bloc comes to power.
A Coordinated Assault on Federalism
Addressing the media, Gandhi asserted that the Prime Minister has executed a "devastating attack on the states" through the instrumentality of central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Income Tax department. He claimed this strategy mirrors the sudden and sweeping impact of the note ban announced in November 2016, which caused widespread economic upheaval.
"Just like demonetisation was an attack on the Indian economy, this is an attack on the Indian state," Gandhi stated. He emphasised that the constitutional framework envisions a partnership between the Centre and the states, a balance he accuses the current dispensation of deliberately undermining.
The Telangana Case and a Director's Arrest
The immediate context for Gandhi's remarks is the recent arrest of a Vigilance Bureau director in Telangana. The Congress leader alleged this action was a direct result of pressure from the Centre, specifically targeting an official who was investigating a case linked to a BJP MP. Gandhi presented this as a clear example of the Centre's overreach, where state agencies are intimidated when their work inconveniences figures aligned with the ruling party at the national level.
He connected this incident to a broader pattern, suggesting that whenever a non-BJP state government investigates someone connected to the BJP, central agencies are unleashed to apply counter-pressure. This, he argued, creates a chilling effect on independent administration and law enforcement in opposition-led states.
The INDIA Bloc's Promise: Protecting State Rights
Outlining the opposition's counter-strategy, Rahul Gandhi declared that a key priority for the INDIA alliance upon forming the government would be to "protect the idea of India" as envisioned in the Constitution. This includes a firm commitment to federalism.
"We are going to defend the Indian states. We are not going to allow the Indian states to be attacked by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister," he proclaimed. He positioned the upcoming Lok Sabha election as a critical battle for the soul of India's democratic and federal structure, framing the BJP's approach as a fundamental threat to the rights and autonomy of state governments.
The Congress leader's forceful comments signal a central theme for the opposition's campaign, moving beyond specific allegations of corruption to a larger constitutional argument about the concentration of power and the erosion of India's federal ethos.
