Hyderabad: Kodand Reddy, Chairman of the Rythu Commission, strongly criticized BJP leaders for their continued vilification of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He stated that the world has recognized Indira Gandhi as a strong and reform-oriented leader due to her governance and progressive reforms.
He recalled that even Atal Bihari Vajpayee had once described Indira as the embodiment of Goddess Durga. However, today’s BJP and NDA leaders are spreading false propaganda against her, he alleged.
Reddy also accused BJP leaders of attempting to claim Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel—who served as Home Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet—as their own icon, while systematically trying to weaken the Congress Party.
Need to Recognize BJP’s Conspiracy Against Democracy
He called upon democratic-minded citizens to identify and oppose the BJP’s conspiracies aimed at undermining Congress and democracy.
Referring to the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, he pointed out that the movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan was mostly limited to North India and had little impact in the South. Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency based on the prevailing circumstances and voluntarily lifted it on January 18, 1977, returning to the people’s mandate.
“Using the Emergency episode to tarnish the Congress or diminish Indira Gandhi’s charisma is a futile exercise,” he said.
India Facing an Undeclared Emergency Under Modi
Kodand Reddy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is controlling all institutions and stifling democracy. “He is attacking individuals and institutions, misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and running the country under an undeclared Emergency,” he alleged.
While elections during the Emergency were conducted peacefully under the leadership of T.N. Seshan, today’s Election Commission has been reduced to a puppet in the hands of the Modi government, he said.
Modi Forced to Backtrack on Farm Laws
He accused Modi of introducing black laws targeting farmers and later being forced to withdraw them due to widespread protests. However, he noted that the withdrawal was never formally acknowledged in Parliament.
Reddy criticized the allocation of 800 acres of land in Haryana and Punjab to Adani and Ambani for food grain storage, warning that these corporate efforts are threatening India’s food security. “While the Congress once brought legislation to regulate grain storage in the interest of the public, Modi has privatized it,” he said.
Privatization of Cotton Procurement and Weakening Reforms
He expressed concern that Modi is planning to stop Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) purchases, which have historically benefitted farmers.
“From Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh, Congress brought several farmer-friendly laws. What has Modi brought for the farmers? Let him answer,” he demanded.
Kodand Reddy concluded by highlighting transformative reforms during Indira Gandhi’s tenure such as nationalization of banks and land distribution to the poor. In contrast, he accused the BJP of dismantling systems and weakening institutions.
He urged the ruling BJP to stop indulging in cheap politics over the Emergency and instead focus on governance and addressing people’s real issues.
