Accusing the Congress of attempting to thwart democracy, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani on Monday said that the party was trying to gain control over President’s House. “After getting a rubber stamp for the Prime Minister, the Congress is now trying to acquire another rubber stamp, this time, for the President,” he said. Advani was speaking at a symposium organised by the Delhi BJP to mark the 32nd anniversary of the Emergency.

Coming down heavily on the Gandhi-Nehru family for perpetuating dynasty rule, Advani said that the biggest threat to democracy today is the same as it was during the Emergency—the family’s mindset.

“There is so much common between then and now. Indira Gandhi's aim to remain in power can be seen in Sonia Gandhi,” he added. Rahul Gandhi’s statement that the Babri Masjid would have been saved if any of his family members had been in power at the time, is an example of that mindset, said Advani.

The senior BJP leader asked his party workers to take upon themselves the task of saving the Indian democracy as they did during the Emergency. “You showed great courage and made sacrifices during the Emergency. Now, the dynasty mindset must be fought against,” he said. Advani was among those jailed during the Emergency in 1975.

Advani expressed disappointment that other political parties, who had fought against the Congress during the Emergency, were now sharing power with it.

Other prominent leaders to speak on the occasion were senior party leader V K Malhotra and Delhi BJP President Harsh Vardhan.