Naidu draws parallels between Emergency era and Jagan's rule in Andhra Pradesh
Marking the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency in India, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched a scathing attack on past regimes, likening the authoritarian rule of the Emergency era to the recent governance of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Participating in the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitutional Murder Day) event here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said, 'June 25, 1975, was the darkest day in Indian democracy. Even today, the wounds of that autocratic rule remain unhealed. The Emergency was not just a political imposition — it was a brutal assault on the soul of our democracy.'
Mr. Naidu drew parallels between the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the 'destructive and dictatorial' governance witnessed in Andhra Pradesh in the last five years. 'If the Emergency is a case study on how not to govern a nation, Mr. Jagan's tenure is a case study on how not to lead a State,' he remarked, accusing the previous YSRCP government of throttling dissent, demolishing institutions and damaging democratic values.
Referring to the demolition of Praja Vedikasix years ago on the same date, Mr. Naidu said it symbolised the beginning of a regime of vendetta politics and institutional destruction. 'The very platform meant for people's dialogue was razed down. That act was not just symbolic; it was a declaration of war against participatory governance,' he stated.
Mr. Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan for partnering with the TDP in what he called a 'mission to rescue Andhra Pradesh from chaos.' He emphasised that rebuilding efforts were now under way, with the people's mandate empowering them to restore democratic accountability.
Drawing attention to India's constitutional legacy, Mr. Naidu reminded the audience that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had given the people a powerful weapon — the right to vote. 'It is through this sacred right that the people rejected destruction and embraced reconstruction,' he said.
Criticising the Congress and YSRCP in one sweep, Mr. Naidu remarked, 'Authoritarian rulers may destroy institutions, but people's will shall always prevail. Just as N.T. Rama Rao bounced back after being ousted, today we are reclaiming our State's democratic spirit.'
History teaches us that forgetting the Constitution is the first step toward tyranny. Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is a reminder that democracy must be protected not just in courts and Assemblies, but in the conscience of every citizen, he added.
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