Priyanka Gandhi Accuses Modi Government of ‘Dictatorship’, Alleges Crackdown on Opposition and Protesters

NEW DELHI, Oct 10 : Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday accused the Narendra Modi-led government of turning India into a “dictatorship”, alleging that the constitutional rights of Opposition MPs and protesters were being violated amid extensive security restrictions across the national capital.

In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Priyanka alleged that 254 Opposition MPs had been roughed up and illegally detained before authorities intensified security arrangements across Delhi. She also accused the police of detaining young protesters exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate.

“First they rough up 254 MPs and detain them completely illegally, infringing on their basic constitutional rights; they do the same to other protestors from Opposition parties,” she said.

Describing the security arrangements in Delhi as a siege, Priyanka alleged that barricades had been erected, routes sealed, train and metro services disrupted, internet connectivity cut and checkpoints established across the city. She further accused the police of assaulting and detaining young men and women participating in protests.

Questioning the conduct of elections, Priyanka alleged collusion between the government and the Election Commission to manipulate the electoral process and prevent scrutiny of the government's legitimacy.

“If this isn't proof that they have cheated the elections with the collusion of the Election Commission, and are terrified that the illegitimacy of their government is being exposed and accountability is being demanded, then what is?” she asked.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Priyanka said, “India is not a democracy anymore. It is a dictatorship being run by Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Amit Shah.”

She also accused those allegedly helping the government undermine democratic institutions of betraying the country.

“All those who are colluding with them to subvert democracy are committing treason against the nation,” she said.

Priyanka's remarks came amid an intensifying confrontation between the Congress and other Opposition parties, on the one hand, and the government and the Election Commission, on the other, over electoral procedures, the revision of electoral rolls and demands for accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Opposition has repeatedly questioned the impartiality of the Election Commission and expressed concerns that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could lead to the exclusion of eligible voters.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders have also demanded action against the Chief Election Commissioner, insisting that the poll panel address concerns over electoral integrity and ensure transparency in the election process.

The latest allegations follow a series of Opposition demonstrations in Delhi over electoral issues. Opposition parties have accused the authorities of using police action and extensive security restrictions to obstruct peaceful protests.

The government and police, however, have maintained that security arrangements are necessary to manage demonstrations and maintain law and order.

The allegations of electoral manipulation and collusion between the government and the Election Commission remain political claims and have not been independently established in the information available.