Development economist Jean Dreze opined on Sunday that Indian democracy had been hit by a “recent wave of authoritarianism”. The claim came just days before the Lok Sabha elections, with the Belgian-born social scientist insisting that the opposition INDIA bloc can make a change. 'big difference' with the count.
“Leaders of these parties have had to endure years of brutal surveillance and intimidation by central agencies. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Soren is behind bars, Lalu Prasad has faced spells of incarceration, and Rahul Gandhi narrowly avoided a similar fate, besides freezing Congress's accounts. Any politician who poses a danger to the BJP is at risk of harassment. Under these circumstances, the elections are as good as rigged,” the economist said.
(With input from agencies)
Unlock a world of benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time inventory management, breaking news and a personalized news feed – it's all there, just one click away! Log in now!
View all political news and updates on DailyExertNews. Download the Mint News app for daily market updates and live business news.
. or less
Published: Apr 14, 2024 5:40 PM IST