NEW DELHI:
Former ‘Iron Man’ of India’s ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lal Kishan Advani has warned that there could be an emergency rule in the country, while Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appeared to agree.
“Forces that can crush democracy have become stronger” in India, Mr Advani told Indian Express on Thursday. His remarks are being seen by rival parties as a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
At the present point of time, the forces that can crush democracy, notwithstanding the constitutional and legal safeguards, are stronger,” Mr Advani said.
He was speaking on the 40th anniversary next week of the 1975 Emergency, when the Congress government jailed opposition leaders and imposed severe curbs on the media.
“I do not say that the political leadership is not mature. But because of the shortcomings, I don’t have the confidence that it (Emergency) cannot happen again,” said the 87-year-old BJP veteran, adding, “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.”
