Union home minister, speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, said that Congress amended the Constitution 77 times in its 55 years of rule.
“BJP has ruled for 16 years and we made 22 changes to the Constitution. Congress ruled for 55 years and made 77 changes,” Shah said.
He was replying to debate in Rajya Sabha on 75 years of Constitution of India.
Pointing towards specific amendments, Shah explained how the alterations by Congress were aimed for political gain, while the saffron party focused on empowering citizens and enhancing governance. "The first amendment was to curtail the freedom of expression by Former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru. The 24th Amendment was brought by his daughter Indira Gandhi. On November 24, 1971, the Parliament was given the right to reduce the fundamental rights of the citizens," Shah said.
Here's what the Home Minister said in his Rajya Sabha address:
“The people of our country and our Constitution have given a befitting reply to those who said that we would never be able to become economically independent. Today, we are the fifth largest economy. We have left Britain behind,” Shah stated.
In the last 75 years, many nations became independent and had new beginnings but democracy did not succeed there, Shah claimed, adding that “our democracy is deep-rooted”.
He further launched an attack on the opposition Congress stating the party lost in recent elections because people found out that its leaders were carrying fake copies of Constitution.
"Kuch rajneta aaye hain 54 saal ki age mein, apne aap ko yuva kehte hain. Aur yeh ghoomte rehte hain ki samvidhan badal denge. Main unko samjhana chahta hoon, samvidhan ke provision ko badalne ka provision Article 368 mein hi hai (Some politicians, at the age of 54, they call themselves young. And they keep saying the Constitution will change. I want you to understand, the provision for changing the the Constitution is embedded in Article 368)," he said.
Continuing his attack on the grand-old-party as well as on others over allegations concerning electronic voting machines (EVM), he said the Supreme Court has repeatedly rejected petitions on the issue. He said when opposition parties lose polls they start complaining about EVMs.
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