BJP questions Gandhi's authority under UPA governance structure

The opposition BJP took aim at the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance's governance model on Wednesday, with party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi questioning the institutional arrangement that saw the Prime Minister's authority potentially superseded by the National Advisory Council.

Trivedi's remarks centered on the paradox of a Prime Minister relinquishing executive prerogatives while a senior party leader retained Cabinet-ranked status within the advisory body. The criticism appeared directed at the UPA's power structure during Congress rule, when multiple centers of authority functioned simultaneously.

The National Advisory Council, which operated under different configurations during UPA governments, held significant policy-making influence despite its advisory designation. This arrangement prompted questions from opposition figures about whether the formal holder of the Prime Minister's office wielded the executive authority traditionally associated with the position.

The BJP's criticism reflects ongoing political debate about governance structures and decision-making authority within previous administrations. The remarks contribute to broader opposition assertions about alleged power consolidation outside formal constitutional channels during UPA-led governments.