PUBLICLY lending his weight to the Aam Aadmi Party-led protests that the brand new legislation undermines its elected Delhi authorities, Rajasthan Chief Minister and veteran Congress chief Ashok Gehlot Saturday mentioned the passage of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 by Parliament final week was a “murder of democracy” and that, sooner or later, the Narendra Modi authorities might carry such legal guidelines in states the place it loses electorally.
Speaking to The Sunday Express, Gehlot additionally mentioned that India’s picture has taken a success globally, and that individuals who matter are opting to make calls on WhatsApp or FaceTime as a result of they concern their telephones may very well be tapped by the Centre.
In a collection of tweets earlier within the day, he wrote, “The GNCTD Act passed by Modi government to curtail the rights of the Delhi government is murder of democracy. Abolishing the power of an elected government is against the spirit of democracy. Earlier, the Supreme Court had clearly ruled that the elected government is the real head of Delhi.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responded tweeting: “Thank you for supporting the people of Delhi against the Centre’s unconstitutional Bill, Gehlot ji. The Indian republic’s Constitution and democracy are of prime importance. Our struggle to restore power back to people will continue.”
Calling for Opposition unity on the problem, Gehlot wrote: “The Modi government wants to run the country in a fascist manner. Electoral malpractices, horse trading of elected MLAs, and when failing in both, it resorts to passing such a dictatorial Bill on the strength of its majority in Parliament. This is how the Modi government rules. If it goes on like this, in the time to come, the Modi government can abolish the powers of the state government by bringing such laws if BJP loses election in any state. This dictatorial decision of the Modi government should be opposed at the national level by rising above party lines.”
The GNCTD Bill was handed in Parliament earlier this week amid a pushback by Opposition events, particularly within the Upper House. As many as 12 Opposition events in Rajya Sabha and 9 in Lok Sabha had opposed the Bill.
The Bill curtails the powers of the elected authorities considerably and makes it obligatory for all choices to be routed by way of the Lieutenant Governor, who’s nominated by the Centre.
Speaking to The Sunday Express, Gehlot additional mentioned: “There is strain on all companies — be it the CBI, Income Tax or Enforcement Directorate… The actions happening in BJP-ruled states, together with Uttar Pradesh, and the best way the Union Home Ministry is functioning…. pressuring and scaring all companies… The environment within the nation has change into such that persons are afraid of speaking on cellphones… persons are preferring WhatsApp or FaceTime… you discuss to anybody, they are saying let’s discuss on FaceTime…
“If this is the feeling in the country… the people who matter in the country — be it politicians, industrialists or social workers — if they feel that perhaps their telephones are being tapped… you can think… Modi ji pata nahi kis roop main kar rahe hain ye… he is running the government against the basic spirit of the country… he wants to advance the agenda of the RSS-BJP by hook or crook,” he mentioned.
Incidentally, Gehlot’s personal authorities earlier this month confirmed that it had “intercepted” telephones — eight months after “leaked” telephone conversations between a Union Minister and Congress leaders in Rajasthan triggered a political disaster within the state. The affirmation was posted on the web site of the Rajasthan Assembly in reply to a query requested of the federal government throughout the House session of August 2020.
Gehlot additionally spoke in opposition to misuse of the sedition legislation: “How can you term dissent and criticism of the government, which is a right guaranteed by the Constitution, as sedition? Freedom of expression is a fundamental right… you arrested a 22-year-old girl (Disha Ravi) from Bengaluru (in the farmer protest toolkit case)… India’s image has taken a hit globally.”
He additionally mentioned that the folks of Bengal ought to defeat the BJP within the meeting elections, “otherwise they will get a license to destroy the country”.