The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha from the Congress party is rapidly turning into a national liability. His politics has become less about constructive dissent and more about reckless allegations. Increasingly, the Opposition — led by the Congress — appears intent on undermining India’s democratic institutions, and their latest target is the Election Commission (EC). For decades, the EC has been globally respected for conducting free and fair polls since its independence. It has overseen smooth transitions of power, including when governments hostile to the ruling party came to office. Yet now, the Congress-led Opposition seeks to discredit this autonomous body, levelling unsubstantiated charges that risk eroding public trust in the electoral process. This is not legitimate criticism — this is calculated chaos. The pattern is telling. When agitations against the Farm Laws and the Citizenship Amendment Act failed to destabilise the government, the Opposition turned to other pressure points. Now, with a stronger tally in the Lok Sabha but still far from power, they seem determined to tarnish the EC’s reputation. The political playbook is clear: create an atmosphere of distrust, mobilise street protests, and seek international sympathy. It is no secret that destabilisation efforts in democracies can sometimes be encouraged — and even financed — from abroad. While it is for investigative agencies to establish the facts, the government has to remain alert. This means keeping a close watch on foreign funding channels, the overseas engagements of political leaders, and the role of certain multinational entities whose investments may come with political strings attached. If any such activity is found to violate Indian law, action must be swift and decisive. India has precedents for firm action against political figures found guilty of corrupt practices or inflammatory speech. In 1969, the Supreme Court barred Dr M. Chenna Reddy from contesting elections for six years for corrupt electoral conduct. In 1999, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting elections for six years for making communal remarks during a campaign. The law is clear: no one is above it.
If the EC finds that allegations against it are false, politically motivated, and without evidence, it should not hesitate to use its powers to act against those making such charges. Persistent attempts to undermine the Commission’s credibility are not harmless political theatre — they threaten the very foundation of India’s democracy. Debarring repeat offenders from contesting elections for a substantial period would send a strong message. Equally, the government cannot ignore lingering questions surrounding the citizenship status of senior political leaders when credible allegations are made. Former BJP MP and senior lawyer Subramanian Swamy has, in the past, alleged that Rahul Gandhi may have acquired foreign citizenship. While such claims must be proven in a court of law, the matter has remained unresolved for far too long. Since India does not allow dual citizenship, it is imperative that the Home Ministry fast-tracks any pending inquiries, ensuring transparency and legal clarity. If the leader in question is indeed solely an Indian citizen, the matter should be closed once and for all. If not, the law must take its course. A functioning democracy requires a responsible Opposition. Criticism of the government is both necessary and healthy, but deliberate attempts to delegitimise independent institutions, especially without proof, cross a dangerous line. The EC is not the ruling party’s tool; it is a constitutional authority whose credibility is essential to every political formation, including those in Opposition today, who may be in government tomorrow. The Modi government, for its part, must match political firmness with institutional vigilance. Intelligence and enforcement agencies must remain alert to both domestic subversion and foreign interference. This is not about silencing dissent but about ensuring that dissent does not become a cover for destabilisation. India’s democracy is robust, but even the strongest structures can be weakened from within. The EC has the legal mandate to protect itself from motivated attacks, and the government has the constitutional responsibility to safeguard the nation from both internal sabotage and external influence. Both must now act decisively, lawfully, and without political hesitation. History will not forgive complacency when the credibility of elections — the very heart of the Republic — is under assault.
