Rahul slams BJP in Germany, claims 'wholesale capture' of institutions

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP government during his recent visit to Germany, accusing it of a "wholesale capture" of India’s institutional framework. Speaking at the Hertie School in Berlin, the Leader of the Opposition alleged that central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are being used as political tools to target opponents. He claimed that while these agencies have "zero cases" against BJP members, they are systematically weaponised against those who challenge the ruling party's ideology.

Gandhi further asserted that the democratic system in India is under a "full-scale assault," arguing that institutions are no longer performing their constitutional roles. He told the gathering that the BJP views the country’s infrastructure as its own property rather than national assets, using them to consolidate political power. He also raised concerns about economic intimidation, alleging that businessmen who support the Congress party face threats and pressure from state machinery, which he believes has shifted from serving the public to protecting a singular political vision.

The BJP swiftly dismissed Gandhi's remarks, labeling them "anti-India" and accusing him of damaging the country's global reputation. Party spokespersons slammed his comments as "childish" and claimed that the Congress leader frequently uses foreign platforms to "insult India." While the BJP maintains that the investigative agencies are independent and acting on merit, Gandhi reiterated that the opposition’s battle is not just against a political party but against the systematic capture of the structure that sustains Indian democracy.