Supporters of various opposition parties shout anti-government slogans at a “Save Democracy” rally organized by India Bloc, a group formed by opposition parties, in New Delhi, India, Sunday, March 31, 2024. . It was the first “Save Democracy” rally. A large-scale public demonstration by the opposition Bloc India was held on March 21st to protest the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the opposition leader who was elected as New Delhi's top official in the liquor bribery case. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
NEW DELHI (AP) – India's opposition coalition launched its campaign ahead of next month's national elections with a mass rally Sunday to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for stifling opposition parties and undermining democracy. .
The “Save Democracy” rally in New Delhi was the first major show of force by India's opposition coalition. Prime Minister Modi on Sunday also launched a formal campaign for the six-week election starting April 19.
Opposition leaders addressed flag-waving crowds and criticized the Modi government for arresting several of their colleagues on March 21, including New Delhi's top elected official Arvind Kejriwal. Leaders called the arrests undemocratic and accused Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting them. Federal agencies weaken opposition.
Mr. Kejriwal was arrested by the Federal Enforcement Directorate about two years ago on charges that his party and state ministers had accepted a bribe of 1 billion rupees ($12 million) from a liquor contractor. The Aam Aadmi Party denied the accusations and said Mr Kejriwal would remain the chief minister in New Delhi until the court decides on next steps.
In January, the agency arrested Hemant Soren, previously chief minister of eastern Jharkhand state, on suspicion of abetting illegal land sales. Soren's party denies the charges.
“This fight is to protect the nation, democracy, the constitution, the country's future, the youth, farmers and women. This fight is for justice and truth,” said Deepender Singh, a lawmaker from the opposition Nationalist Congress Party.・Mr. Hooda spoke to reporters at the rally.
Kejriwal's arrest is seen as a setback for the opposition camp, which is the Bharatiya Janata Party's main challenger in the election.
The BJP denies targeting opposition groups and says its law enforcement agencies act independently.
“Narendra Modi is stifling democracy and depriving people of the choice of choosing the government of their choice,” Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Nationalist Congress Party, who attended Sunday's rally, wrote in X. .
Mr. Modi began his campaign for a third term in the city of Meerut, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of New Delhi.
Prime Minister Modi said the opposition parties are worried because of his government's crackdown on corruption. “Mr. Modi's credo is to eradicate corruption, but their (opposition) credo is to protect the corrupt,” he said.
