Country went through 'Super Emergency' in last 5 years: Mamata Banerjee targets Modi

On the 34th anniversary of Emergency in India, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday attacked the ruling Narendra Modi government, saying that the country had to go through a "Super Emergency" in the last five years.

"Today is the anniversary of the Emergency declared in 1975. For the last five years, the country went through a ‘Super Emergency’. We must learn our lessons from history and fight to safeguard the democratic institutions in the country," Mamata said.

Emergency was imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on this day in 1975 which was in effect till March 21, 1977. Several leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticised the move and prasied those who resisted against it.

“India salutes all those greats who fiercely and fearlessly resisted the Emergency.  India’s democratic ethos successfully prevailed over an authoritarian mindset,” Modi tweeted.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a resolution to never allow repetition of an Emergency-like situation in the country. Calling the imposition of emergency “biggest assault on country’s democracy”, Kejriwal said, “Let us resolve never to allow repetition of subversion of the Constitution of this great democracy.”

Opposition leaders had been accused the Narendra Modi government of imposing "undeclared emrgency" in the country and subverting Constitutional institution during his first tenure. From misusing the office to using the independent agencies for political witch-hunt, the Narendra Modi govenrment had been on Opposition's radar during its first tenure.