Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has once again raised concerns over the functioning of India’s democratic institutions, alleging that they are being steadily brought under political influence. Speaking at an interaction at the Hertie School in Berlin, Gandhi said India is witnessing an unprecedented strain on its institutional balance.
Addressing students and academics, Gandhi claimed that central investigative agencies are no longer operating independently and are being selectively used against political opponents. According to him, this has created an uneven political playing field, where opposition parties face constant pressure while the ruling party remains largely untouched.
Gandhi also alleged that sections of the business community are being discouraged from supporting opposition parties, arguing that fear and coercion have replaced free political choice. He said this imbalance is not just about electoral competition but reflects a deeper issue related to democratic accountability.
The Congress leader emphasised that the Opposition’s challenge is not limited to defeating the BJP electorally, but to resisting what he described as the concentration of power within key national institutions. He said the Congress and like-minded parties are working towards building a collective framework to defend constitutional values and democratic checks and balances.
Speaking about the INDIA bloc, Gandhi acknowledged that alliance partners may compete against each other in certain local or state-level elections. However, he described these as strategic adjustments rather than ideological divisions. He asserted that the alliance remains united on fundamental issues, particularly in opposing the ideological vision of the RSS.
Gandhi also spoke about India’s diversity, saying the country’s strength lies in dialogue between states, cultures, languages and communities. He cautioned against governance driven by centralised authority, arguing that such an approach risks deepening social and political divisions.
