At a time when the BJP was facing trouble over allegations of two of its leaders' involvement in the Lalit Modi issue, party patriarch LK Advani's remarks gave fuel to the Opposition to attack the Narendra Modi government.
The Congress, JD-U and Aam Admi Party (AAP) agreed with Advani's comments made in an interview to a national daily that forces that can crush democracy were stronger at present and that a repeat of emergency cannot be ruled out saying it vindicated their stand.
However, BJP refuted the Opposition's interpretation of Advani's comments saying it was not directed at the Prime Minister or his government. Though Advani was silent on the row over links of Union minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje with Lalit Modi, his interview has raised questions if he was reflecting his disappointment with the government. Swaraj was known to be in the Advani camp.
Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said it was not only his party which was questioning the government but even a senior BJP leader was raising questions on its efficacy.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the validity of Advani's comments reflected in the various standoffs between the Centre and his Aam Aadmi government in Delhi on issues like power to appoint and transfer officials.
"Advaniji is correct in saying that emergency can't be ruled out. Is Delhi their first experiment," Kejriwal tweeted.
Bihar chief minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar said Advani's concerns cannot be ignored. "The BJP leader is right to a large extent in his remarks that at present point of time, the forces that can crush democracy, notwithstanding the constitutional and legal safeguards are stronger," he said in Patna.
BJP spokesperson MJ Akbar said Advani many have been referring to institutions rather than individuals.
