BJP Uses Institutional Framework As A Tool For Building Political Power: Rahul Gandhi

India's political discourse took a sharp turn this week after Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of systematically undermining and weaponising the country's institutional framework.

Speaking at the Hertie School in Berlin, Gandhi alleged that agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were being used selectively against opposition leaders, while BJP members remained untouched.

Gandhi argued that India's democratic machinery was under "full-scale assault." He claimed that the electoral system itself was compromised and that the BJP viewed national institutions as tools for consolidating political power rather than neutral guardians of democracy. "Look at the number of cases the ED and CBI have against BJP leaders-it's zero. Against the opposition, it's countless," he said, adding that the imbalance in political funding further tilted the playing field, with the BJP enjoying a 30-to-1 advantage over rivals.

The Congress leader stressed that the opposition must develop new strategies to resist what he described as institutional capture. "It's not enough to simply point out flaws in elections. We need to build a system of resistance that works," he told the audience.

"It's not good enough for us to say, oh, you know, there's a problem in the elections. We will deal with it. And we will create a method, a system of opposition resistance that will succeed," he added.

INDIA Alliance and Ideological Divide

Responding to questions about the INDIA alliance, Gandhi emphasised that while member parties may have tactical differences, they share a common opposition to the ideology of the RSS. "None of the alliance partners subscribe to the RSS worldview. That is the unifying factor," he explained. He added that opposition unity was visible in Parliament, where parties routinely come together to challenge laws they disagree with.

According to Gandhi, the struggle was no longer just about winning elections but about presenting an "alternate vision of India."

BJP's Counterattack

Back in India, Gandhi's remarks drew sharp criticism from the BJP. Party president and Union Minister JP Nadda accused him of "abusing India abroad" at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being honoured globally. "When Parliament is in session, Rahul Gandhi is in Germany, giving speeches against India. At a time when Modi ji is being respected more than 29 times, he goes and insults the country," Nadda charged.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla went further, branding Gandhi's trip a "Defame India tour." He alleged that Gandhi had claimed India lacked manufacturing capacity and praised China instead. "He is not the Leader of Opposition but the Leader of Propaganda. Praise China, defame India-this is Rahul Gandhi's identity now," Poonawalla said.