The electoral landscape in India’s general election is perceived by the opposition alliance as lacking fairness. They accuse the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of tilting the playing field in its favor. The BJP, aiming for a third consecutive term, is currently leading in opinion polls, while the opposition, comprising the Congress and other smaller regional parties, faces the challenge of overcoming a significant gap.
The opposition coalition, named INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), comprises a diverse group of parties with the common goal of ousting the BJP. They allege that the government is leveraging investigative agencies and financial influence to gain an advantage, which Prime Minister Modi dismisses as mere “excuses.”
Recent arrests of key opposition figures, such as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, on what they claim are politically motivated corruption charges, add fuel to these accusations. Furthermore, there’s concern over the disproportionate targeting of opposition politicians by federal agencies, with many later switching allegiance to the BJP.
Instances like the freezing of Congress’s bank accounts and the expulsion of opposition lawmakers from parliament during protests contribute to the perception of unfairness. Rights groups like Amnesty International have labeled the situation a “crisis point” for democracy in India.
Journalists and observers question the timing and fairness of these actions, raising doubts among both the opposition and even some BJP supporters about the integrity of the electoral process.