Dharmendra Pradhan slams Congress over attacks on democratic institutions

Faridabad, Nov 1: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the opposition party of undermining democratic institutions and refusing to accept the people's mandate after repeated electoral defeats.

Addressing participants during the 'Loktantra Bachao Arajakta Hatao' padyatra in Faridabad, Pradhan said the people of India have expressed their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for a third consecutive term.

He alleged that Congress has been unable to accept this sustained public support and is instead attempting to shift blame for its electoral setbacks onto the Election Commission and other constitutional institutions.

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Pradhan claimed that rather than introspecting over its political failures, the Congress has chosen to create controversy by questioning democratic processes. Referring to the party's allegations of "vote theft", he described the campaign as an effort to conceal its defeats and protect illegal infiltrators.

The Sambalpur MP further accused Congress of adopting a selective approach towards democracy. According to him, the party considers democracy strong when it wins elections but raises questions over the electoral process whenever it faces defeat.

He said Congress has lost the trust of the people and is now engaged in spreading misinformation and confusion from Parliament to the streets.

Criticising the opposition's political methods, Pradhan alleged that Congress was mocking the spirit of parliamentary democracy through activities such as organising a "mock parliament".

He also referred to the Emergency era, accusing the party of having undermined democratic values in the past while now claiming to defend the Constitution.

Highlighting the turnout at the Faridabad march, Pradhan said the event had delivered a clear message that people would not support attempts to create disorder under the guise of protecting democracy or disrespect the mandate given by voters. He maintained that citizens would reject any effort to tarnish the image of constitutional bodies for political gain.