New Delhi’s political corridors are buzzing with sharp criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. She has fiercely condemned the handling of Manipur’s leadership transition, branding it a textbook case of crushing democratic norms. In an exclusive interview, Chaturvedi laid bare her concerns over the midnight imposition and swift removal of President’s Rule, bypassing fresh elections despite prolonged violence.
The sequence of events in Manipur has raised eyebrows across the nation. Instead of empowering the violence-weary public with polls, decisions were made behind closed doors. ‘This is shameful suppression of the people’s voice, the Constitution, and democratic principles,’ Chaturvedi asserted. She highlighted how the previous chief minister clung to power, only for President’s Rule to be enacted overnight, later revoked by Parliament without public mandate.
Chaturvedi’s ire extends to Parliament’s functioning. She decried the muzzling of opposition voices, a stark departure from traditions where debates thrive. ‘Opposition’s role is to expose truths, enforce accountability, and ensure transparency—elements now vanishing,’ she noted. Referencing Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to read from a book on Galwan clashes by a former Army Chief, she accused the government of hiding inconvenient facts, even blocking a magazine’s excerpts.
On West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s Supreme Court plea against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, Chaturvedi voiced strong support. She argued that while the Election Commission has authority, it’s being weaponized to serve BJP’s agenda, eroding voter rights as seen in Bihar, and now Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Banerjee’s move, she said, rightfully invokes constitutional remedies for accountability.
Turning to the India-US trade deal, Chaturvedi called it a ‘decree, not a deal.’ She pointed to lopsided terms: 18% tariffs on Indian exports to the US, zero duties on American imports, and barriers dismantled per Trump’s posts. Allegations include pressure to shun oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela amid rising US oil imports. She warned of dangers to nuclear, space sectors, and farmers if foreign goods flood markets duty-free, contrasting it unfavorably with the balanced India-EU pact.
Chaturvedi’s broadside underscores deepening rifts in Indian politics, urging a return to equitable governance and open discourse.