NAGPUR, Nov 5: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being involved in an alleged international conspiracy to alter India’s political system, claiming that efforts were underway to introduce an “ultra-leftist” model of governance in the country.
Addressing a BJP-led ‘Save Democracy Remove Anarchy’ protest march in Nagpur, Fadnavis alleged that Gandhi and the Congress were attempting to undermine the Constitution, democratic institutions and the electoral process.
He further accused the opposition party of supporting voting rights for Bangladeshi infiltrators, claiming that such efforts were aimed at influencing election outcomes and weakening India’s democratic framework.
Fadnavis said the BJP had taken to the streets to defend the Constitution and democracy, responding to Gandhi’s remarks that the political battle would now be fought outside Parliament.
“The fight will be fought only in Parliament as long as the Constitution exists. However, the BJP is also prepared to take to the streets with full strength,” he said.
The chief minister maintained that the protest was not intended to serve the interests of the BJP, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but was aimed at protecting the country’s constitutional framework.
Alleging a broader international effort behind the developments, Fadnavis claimed that the objective was not merely to replace an elected government but to transform the country’s existing political and institutional structure.
He alleged that those involved wanted to introduce a system similar to what had emerged in Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and accused Gandhi of leading the alleged effort within India.
Fadnavis also claimed that individuals associated with political changes in neighbouring countries were supporting the Congress leader. He warned that democratic institutions could face serious consequences if people failed to recognise what he described as an organised attempt to weaken them.
Calling for continued political mobilisation, he said the BJP and its allies would continue their campaign until what he termed anti-constitutional and anti-democratic activities were defeated.
The Maharashtra CM also questioned the Congress’s allegations of ‘vote chori’, particularly its criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Referring to the removal of names from voter lists, Fadnavis argued that several deletions involved people who had died and questioned the Congress’s demand for their restoration.
He alleged that the opposition was creating a misleading narrative against constitutional institutions and electoral authorities.
Fadnavis further claimed that the SIR exercise was removing names of Bangladeshi nationals allegedly included in Indian electoral rolls, accusing the Congress of opposing the process because it could affect its electoral interests.
The protest was attended by NDA allies, including Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Republican Party of India (Athawale), who joined the BJP in its campaign over the issue of democracy and constitutional protection.