Rahul Gandhi Says India Lost Democracy in 2014 Due to Money Power and Control of Institutions

Rahul Gandhi stated on Saturday that India is no longer a democracy and that the country's democratic system was destroyed in 2014. Speaking in Hyderabad at the valedictory session of the Bharat Summit 2026, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said money power and the capture of institutions changed the political landscape and left opposition parties in shock for a full decade.

Election Shifts And Maharashtra

Mr. Gandhi said millions of dollars entered the electoral system during the 2014 Lok Sabha election, which brought in a new kind of politics. He noted that the ruling party enjoyed massive financial resources while parties committed to democratic processes struggled to compete. Pointing to recent polls, he cited the Maharashtra elections where the opposition secured nearly the same number of votes in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly contests, yet the final results showed a stark difference. He alleged that about seven million new voters were added to the electoral rolls in the three months before the Assembly election and claimed every single one of them voted for the BJP, a pattern his party found in several other states as well.

Apology And Future Outlook

During his address, the Congress leader also apologized to international delegates who were invited to the summit but were denied visas or entry permission by the Government of India. He vowed to fight against fascist forces, which he said are growing globally, through love and non-violence while expressing faith that progressive forces will eventually bring about change.

Context

Rahul Gandhi serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, representing the Congress party in the Indian Parliament. The Bharat Summit 2026 served as a platform for political discussions involving domestic leaders and international delegates.