'No level playing field for Congress, opposition': Sonia Gandhi hits out at BJP; party hits back over emergency remarks

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has rejected suggestions that the Congress is struggling to reverse its political decline, saying the party's prospects are improving despite what she described as an uneven political playing field. 

In an interview with The Hindu, she also spoke about the circumstances leading up to the Emergency, drawing a sharp response from the BJP.

“I am not so pessimistic. Consider that the Congress party and other opposition parties have not had a level playing field since this government came to power. Take into account the complete stranglehold they have on all institutions, especially the Election Commission, their control of mainstream media, their money power and their exploitation of religion. Yet, our party is fighting and making progress… What is more, it has been amply proved in recent months that many elections have been stolen, and people are now more aware of it. The Congress is working with like-minded parties, and our prospects are improving day by day,” The Hindu quoted her as saying.

Sonia Gandhi discusses circumstances leading up to Emergency

In the same interview with The Hindu, Sonia Gandhi also discussed the events leading up to the imposition of the Emergency. She listed a series of deteriorating circumstances during that period and said former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had later "publicly expressed regret for the excesses during the Emergency."

BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of trying to justify Emergency

Reacting to Sonia Gandhi's remarks, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress leader of attempting to justify the Emergency and portray Indira Gandhi as a victim. He said her comments could not change the historical record or erase the Congress leadership's responsibility for the events of that period.

In a post on X, Bhandari said, "Sonia Gandhi is trying to justify emergency! She is trying to project Indira Gandhi as victim, but her PR exercise cannot hide the truth: Indira Gandhi imposed emergency, & Rajiv Gandhi carried forward that legacy by his famous comment -" Ek Bada Ped Girta Hai to Dharti Hilti Hai" justifying 1984 massacre of Sikhs. Nation has not forgiven Gandhi Vadra family, nation will not."