Ashok Gehlot Slams BJP for Religious Politics, Undermining Institutions

NEW DELHI: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of practising politics in the name of religion, undermining democratic institutions and using central agencies against political opponents.

Speaking at an award ceremony in Jaipur, the senior Congress leader said the Constitution does not permit politics based on religion and claimed that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would have banned such a party if she were in power today.

Targeting the BJP's ideological approach, Gehlot alleged that the party was mobilising people in the name of Hindutva for electoral gains and was straying from the constitutional principle of equal rights for all faiths. "The Constitution gives equal rights to all religions. Religion should not be used as a political tool," he said.

Gehlot also took aim at the Election Commission, alleging that it was functioning as an agent of the BJP. He further claimed that democratic institutions, including the judiciary, were under pressure and accused the Centre of using agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department to target political rivals.

The Congress veteran alleged that the BJP was weakening democratic institutions and voting rights, warning that such actions would disproportionately affect poorer sections of society.

Escalating his criticism, Gehlot described the ideological positions of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as dangerous. He also accused the ruling party of selectively invoking national icons for political purposes. "The BJP invokes leaders such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for political purposes while ignoring their values," he said.

Gehlot further questioned the BJP's commitment to inclusivity, pointing to the absence of Muslim BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha. He claimed that senior leaders such as Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain had been sidelined within the party.

Looking ahead to national politics, Gehlot said Indian politics should evolve into a direct contest between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged regional parties to rally behind Gandhi, saying he was effectively raising public concerns both inside and outside Parliament.

The former chief minister also criticised the BJP government in Rajasthan, alleging a decline in governance and claiming that people across the state were facing water and electricity-related problems without an adequate administrative response.

Calling on younger generations to participate in public life, Gehlot urged youth to enter politics and play an active role in protecting democratic values.