Know Emergency History Before Making Comparisons, BJP Leader Tells Kejriwal

Telangana BJP leader Prakash Reddy has strongly criticised Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal for comparing the current political situation in India with the Emergency, urging him to understand the historical context before making such claims.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Prakash Reddy said Kejriwal should consult senior political leaders to understand the events that unfolded during the Emergency. He observed that Kejriwal was not a political leader at the time and that the present generation might not have a complete understanding of that period. Reddy alleged that the then Congress government had suspended fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. He also recalled that Kejriwal became Delhi Chief Minister in 2013 with Congress support, questioning his criticism of the party's historical record.

Kejriwal had criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over extensive security arrangements and the detention of several people ahead of a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi.

In a post on X, Kejriwal alleged that the country was facing conditions worse than those during the Emergency and accused the Modi government of promoting authoritarianism. He claimed that even people arriving by flight were being detained, arguing that such measures reflected the government's fear.

He further alleged that votes had been stolen during elections and that democratic rights were being suppressed to cover up the alleged irregularities. Kejriwal also demanded accountability from Modi and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Prakash Reddy criticised the CPI(M), CPI and AAP for backing the CJP's call for a protest demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. He said former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was detained while heading to participate in the demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

Reddy described the CJP as a social media-based organisation without formal political recognition or membership and termed the opposition parties' support unfortunate. He alleged that their actions were intended to destabilise India's democracy, political system and national unity.

Defending the police, Reddy said their actions were necessary to maintain law and order. Police had detained Vijayan and CPI(M) MP John Brittas following a protest outside Kerala Bhavan on Saturday.