Congress fights to restore democracy, not just govern: Venugopal

The Congress party's battle with the ruling government transcends the pursuit of political power, according to senior party leader KC Venugopal, who framed the contest as a struggle for democratic survival.

Venugopal, serving as the Congress's general secretary for organisation, contended that the Centre has systematically converted India's institutional apparatus into instruments for anti-democratic purposes. He argued that constitutional bodies designed to serve as checks on executive power have been repurposed to consolidate governmental authority at the expense of democratic norms.

The assertion reflects the opposition party's broader messaging strategy as it confronts a government it views as erosive of constitutional protections and institutional independence. Venugopal's comments underscore Congress concerns about the state of democratic governance in India, positioning the party's political challenge as fundamentally about preserving democratic principles rather than merely competing for electoral advantage.

The Congress leader's remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the government and opposition parties over institutional autonomy, particularly regarding investigating agencies and electoral processes. These disputes have intensified broader debates about the health of India's democratic institutions and the balance of power between the executive and other constitutional bodies.