India now a one-party state? ‘Completely wrong,’ ex-CJI Chandrachud tells BBC to see poll results

Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud rejected the idea that India is turning into a 'one-party state', saying that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections prove his point.

During a conversation on BBC's "HARDtalk", Chandrachud said, "If you look at the states in India, the states are where the regional aspirations and identities have come to the fore, and so many of our states in India ... you have regional political parties which have done exceptionally well and they are ruling those states."

The topic came up after the BBC journalist cited a New York Times editorial which claimed that India is turning into a "one-party" state with the Bharatiya Janata Party having control over courts.

When asked about Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's conviction, Chandrachud said, "If you look at the fact that there is a decision of a trial court in India, but that judgment was stayed by SC, which meant that the political leader you are talking about could resume his activities in Parliament."

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Talking about the judicial proceedings in India, the former CJI said, "Higher courts, particularly Supreme Court, have sent out a clear message that we are here to safeguard personal liberties, in individual cases, there may be a difference of personal opinion, but the fact of the matter is that the Supreme Court has been at the vanguard of personal liberty. This is the reason why we have the faith of the people."