For decades, Indian politics has been shadowed by corruption scandals, but the difference between Congress and the BJP lies not just in the number of scams but in the scale, intent, and how each party responded when faced with allegations. When we compare the record of the Congress-led governments with the BJP-led governments, the contrast is clear: while Congress presided over some of the biggest corruption scandals in independent India, the BJP has emphasized accountability, transparency, and a governance-first approach.
Congress and Its Legacy of Mega Scams
The Indian National Congress, which ruled India for most of the post-independence period, has a long history of scams. Some of the most infamous include:
2G Spectrum Scam – One of the world’s largest corruption cases, where spectrum licenses were sold at throwaway prices, allegedly causing massive losses to the exchequer. Though courts later acquitted some accused, the mismanagement and favoritism shook public trust.
Coal Allocation Scam (“Coalgate”) – Irregular allocation of coal blocks during the UPA era led to billions in estimated losses and raised serious concerns of crony capitalism.
Commonwealth Games Scam – The 2010 CWG in Delhi became a global embarrassment for India, with inflated contracts, corruption, and mismanagement dominating headlines instead of sporting excellence.
AgustaWestland Helicopter Deal – Kickbacks and middlemen were alleged in a defense deal meant for the country’s VVIPs, exposing how even national security was not spared.
Adarsh Housing Scam – Apartments meant for war widows and defense personnel were grabbed by politicians, bureaucrats, and influential people.
Bofors Scandal – Dating back to Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, it was one of the first major defense procurement scandals that scarred India’s image internationally.
These scams were not just about money; they represented a systemic decay, where governance was hijacked by vested interests.
BJP: Governance with Accountability
When the BJP came to power in 2014, the people of India gave them a mandate not just for development but also for clean governance. Critics have tried to pin allegations on the BJP as well, but the difference lies in how these issues are handled and the absence of mega scams under BJP’s watch.
Allegations Against BJP
Yes, controversies like the Rafale deal, Gujarat fisheries scam, or questions around corporate favoritism (Adani issue) have been raised by the opposition. But here is the distinction:
Rafale Deal – Despite massive opposition campaigns, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking a probe, and even the CAG report found no wrongdoing in the process. The BJP government stood strong and transparent.
State-Level Scandals – Some local-level scams (e.g., fisheries or NREGA-related) have been investigated, but these remain limited in scale compared to Congress’s national-level scams. In most cases, BJP has acted against implicated leaders.
Corporate Allegations (Adani) – These are largely political claims without concrete proof of corruption. Economic reforms and growth naturally benefit large companies, but that doesn’t make them scams.
Nationalist Difference: BJP Protects, Congress Plunders
The BJP positions itself as a party of the nation:
Direct benefit transfers have plugged leakages where middlemen once thrived under Congress.
Digital India, UPI, Aadhaar-linked subsidies ensure every rupee reaches the poor without corruption.
Bold reforms like GST and Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code reduced scope for black money.
Zero tolerance in defense deals – Unlike Congress’s history of kickbacks in Bofors and AgustaWestland, BJP has modernized defense procurement with transparency.
Meanwhile, Congress’s record shows a party that prioritized family, favoritism, and corruption over the nation.
Why People Trust BJP
The people of India are not blind. They remember how corruption became the symbol of the UPA government. The massive scams led to anger across the country, ultimately paving the way for Narendra Modi’s historic 2014 victory.
Under the BJP, India has moved from being called a “scam-ridden nation” to being respected globally as a rising economic and strategic power. The BJP has proven that good governance, nationalism, and accountability can replace the old politics of scams and loot.
Conclusion
The comparison is clear:
Congress = Scams, Loot, Dynasty, Middlemen.
BJP = Governance, Nationalism, Development, Transparency.
India has seen enough of corruption and weak leadership. The Congress legacy is one of lost opportunities and plunder. The BJP, despite opposition propaganda, has given India a government that puts nation first.
-Dinesh Karthik
0 Comments