Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Congress Working Committee meeting, held in Bihar.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Expressing concern that Indian democracy is “under siege”, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday launched a scathing attack at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP by alleging that the so-called “double engine sarkar” has now become a “double-edged sword” cutting the soul of the republic.
Addressing the Congress Working Committing (CWC) meet in Patna, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the very spirit of the Constitution, which is liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice was being throttled by Mr. Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP, and their ideological masters in the RSS.
“India today is living under the shadow of despotism. Institutions are being captured, freedom is being curtailed, and the people’s mandate is being stolen,” he alleged.
He alleged that the BJP had engaged in “vote chori,” stealing elections, buying MLAs, and suppressing the people’s voice across the country. Hailing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for exposing “vote chori” in Mahadevapura and Aland of Karnataka, Mr. Siddaramaiah said his relentless fight against electoral manipulation has inspired every Indian who believes in fair democracy.
“While democracy is being subverted at home, the Modi-led government has failed the nation abroad. India’s foreign policy, once respected globally, is today reduced to silence and subservience. When Donald Trump shamelessly claimed he brokered peace in Kashmir, Mr. Modi did not even open his mouth. This is not diplomacy, this is the compromise of our sovereignty,” he alleged.
“Under the BJP’s rule, the common Indian is crushed. Prices of essential goods are soaring, unemployment has broken the backbone of our youth, inequality is rising like never before. The Modi government has made India a country where billionaires thrive while the poor struggle for two meals a day,” Mr. Siddaramaiah alleged.
Stating that Mr. Modi had “perfected the art of spinning failure into triumph”, he said “every time his government stumbles, he dresses it up as a great achievement.”
Mr. Siddaramaiah said that it was Congress’ persistent demand that had compelled the Union government to agree to conduct a caste census which will ensure fair representation of every Indian. “And let us not forget, the guarantee schemes we pioneered in Karnataka are today being shamelessly copied even in BJP-ruled States,” he said.
Published – September 24, 2025 11:20 pm IST
