Mumbai, Nov 2 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday alleged that the real agenda behind the “regime change” campaign by Congress and Rahul Gandhi is to subvert the democratic system, the Constitution and institutions, which he dubbed a deep-rooted conspiracy.
Citing political developments in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, he claimed that Constitutional changes and regime changes in these countries are part of a larger international conspiracy and “similar attempts were being made in India”.
He accused the Opposition of attempting to weaken public confidence in democratic institutions to justify dismantling them.
Addressing a “Save Democracy and Constitution” rally in Mumbai, Fadnavis said that changing a government implies replacing an elected government with another through democratic elections, whereas ‘regime change’ means altering the country’s political system, Constitution and institutions.
“Everybody has that right in a democracy. But what does regime change mean? It means changing the political system, changing the Constitution and changing all the institutions established in the country,” he said.
The senior BJP leader alleged that the Congress and its allies are using the ‘Save the Constitution’ slogan to pursue the “regime change agenda”.
“Until the last drop of our blood, we will not allow regime change. We will not allow anyone to touch the Constitution or threaten democracy,” Fadnavis said.
He said even Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has extended support for regime change even though he doesn’t know the meaning of the term.
Fadnavis accused the Congress of undermining democratic institutions and the Constitution when it was in power, particularly during the Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.
Recalling the Allahabad High Court judgment invalidating Indira Gandhi’s election, he said the Congress had subsequently amended the Constitution to shield her election from judicial scrutiny.
He also referred to Constitutional amendments during the Emergency, alleging that the Congress had curtailed fundamental rights and restricted citizens’ access to courts.
Fadnavis said the subsequent Janata Party government under Morarji Desai had reversed these changes and restored Constitutional safeguards.
The Chief Minister said the Constitution given by B R Ambedkar guaranteed fundamental rights to every citizen, irrespective of economic or social status.
“The Congress and Opposition leaders are systematically discrediting institutions such as the Reserve Bank, the Comptroller and Auditor General, Parliament, the Election Commission and the Supreme Court,” he alleged.
Slamming Rahul Gandhi for holding protests against the Supreme Court, he said opposition leaders should seek justice through judicial processes rather than take to the streets against the institution.
“Rahul Gandhi does not seek justice in the Supreme Court but holds protests against it. This has never happened in the history of the country,” he said.
Fadnavis alleged that the Opposition was attempting to weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
“India is different from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka because it has Ambedkar’s Constitution, which would withstand attempts to alter its democratic system,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, he said even Indira Gandhi, despite her political strength, had failed to destroy the Constitution.
“Rahul Gandhi, you could not succeed in your attempt to destroy the Constitution. Indira Gandhi was a strong leader, yet she could not destroy it. Who are you?” he asked.
He slammed intellectuals for maintaining “selective silence” on protests against Constitutional institutions while routinely criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Fadnavis led and participated in a foot march organised by the BJP in Mumbai.
He said the NDA’s campaign will continue until the “Opposition’s intentions to change the Constitution and democratic system are defeated”, and urged citizens, irrespective of political affiliations, to join the movement to protect the Constitution and democracy.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan, Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam, state ministers Ashish Shelar and Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Shiv Sena leader Sachin Ahir and several legislators participated in the padyatra.
(PTI News)
