‘India Is No Longer a Democracy’: Rahul Gandhi slams Modi Government at Bharat Summit

Addressing the gathering, Gandhi criticised what he described as the systematic weakening of democratic institutions and the concentration of economic power in the hands of a select few business groups.

He alleged that the Modi government had created an economic environment favouring influential industrialists, particularly billionaire Gautam Adani, while ordinary citizens, small businesses and economically disadvantaged communities continued to face significant challenges.

Gandhi's remarks reflected the Congress party's longstanding criticism of the relationship between political power and corporate influence under the BJP-led government.

The Congress leader argued that democracy must extend beyond the conduct of elections and include institutional independence, accountability, economic fairness and equal opportunities for citizens.

His criticism of crony capitalism also highlighted the opposition's concerns over the concentration of wealth and the alleged preferential treatment of politically connected business interests.

The allegations against the Modi government and Adani are political claims made by Gandhi and do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing.

The Bharat Summit provided a platform for Gandhi to reiterate his concerns about the direction of Indian democracy and the country's economic policies.

His remarks are likely to intensify the political debate between the Congress and BJP over democratic governance, corporate influence and economic inequality.