Political row breaks out over BJP patriarch’s Emergency remarks

Spearheading the Opposition’s collective attack on the NDA government, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday supported veteran BJP leader LK Advani’s statement in which he had not ruled out an Emergency- like situation in the country again. “Advani ji is correct in saying that Emergency can’t be ruled out. Is Delhi their first experiment,” tweeted Kejriwal.

The reaction came after BJP patriarch LK Advani in an interview said, “At the present point of time, the forces that can crush democracy, notwithstanding the constitutional and legal safeguards, are stronger. Today, I do not say that the political leadership is not mature. I don’t have faith because of its weaknesses. I don’t have the confidence that it (Emergency) cannot happen again.”

The BJP was quick to distance itself from the controversy as party spokesperson MJ Akbar said, “I think <g data-gr-id="36">Advanji</g> was referring to institutions rather than to individuals. I respect his views, but I personally don’t see <g data-gr-id="43">emergency</g>, any chance of any emergency being re-imposed in the country. I think that age is over, Indian democracy is too strong.”

Meanwhile Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan attacked the government, saying, “Today the jury is out. Advaniji is vocal. What he had to say, he has said. It is obvious whom he is talking about, whose government is there, who is the Prime Minister. He knows it. But he is a statesman-like leader of the BJP. He did not want to name the Prime Minister. But whoever reads the interview, he/she would understand he is talking about Modi.”

On similar lines, Left leader Sitaram Yechury said, “LK Advani is a senior politician so it is clear where the needle of suspicion is. We have seen the authoritarian streak in the Modi government.” JDU leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said veteran BJP LK Advani’s recent interview has drawn attention to his anxiety with regard to <g data-gr-id="40">governance</g> of the country. “Advani ji is the senior-most leader in the country. If he is worried, then, all of us should pay special attention to it. We are just bearing with it,” he added.