Opposition picks up Advani remarks to attack Modi government

BJP patriarch L K Advani's concerns that "forces that can crush democracy are stronger" now and that Emergency like situation could emerge were seen by Congress as being aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while AAP felt it is the "first indictment" of his politics.

As the remarks by the former deputy prime minister drew support from the opposition parties, the JD(U) said it should be considered seriously.

In the midst of a turf battle with the Centre on a range of issues, AAP leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wondered whether Delhi was the "first experiment" towards clamping Emergency while JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his state was "facing" such situation on a daily basis".

Congress latched on to Advani's remarks, saying he was indeed hinting at "emergency-like" situation under Modi's rule.

"Advaniji is vocal. What he had to say, he has said," Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan told reporters.

"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," Vadakkan said.

Quoting from Advani's remarks, he said the veteran leader is "right" when he says the present situation in the country signals towards emergency.

"Advani ji is correct in saying that emergency can't be ruled out. Is Delhi their first experiment?," Kejriwal tweeted.

The Kejriwal dispensation has been engaged in a turf war with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the Centre on transfers and postings of top officials as well as authority over Delhi Government's Anti-Corruption Branch.

AAP leader Ashutosh was more direct saying the remarks by the BJP veteran were "indictment of Modi's politics".

"Advani's interview is first indictment of Modi's politics. He is saying democracy is not safe,emergency is not far, under Modi's leadership," Ashutosh tweeted.
In Patna, Kumar said Advani is among the senior most leaders of BJP and his concerns should be considered seriously.

"Advani is among the senior most leaders of BJP and his concerns should be considered seriously. As far as Emergency like situation is concerned, we are facing it here on a daily basis," Kumar said.

Though he did not elaborate much on how the state was facing emergency like situation, he took the opportunity to attack the Modi government.

Advani in an interview published in a leading English daily today said, "Forces that can crush democracy are stronger.....I don't have the confidence it (Emergency) cannot happen again".