By 2024, the ten-year tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had redefined powerdynamics with centralized control and divisive rhetoric. Many felt democracy was slipping away. TheCongress Party embarked on a tireless fight to restore hope in India’s democracy amidst a decadeof eroding trust in democratic institutions. In Contesting Democratic Deficit: An Inside Story of the 2024 Elections, Salman Khurshid, with Mritunjay Singh Yadav, casts aside the usual partisan talking points and examines the narrative of these volatile times.

The authors begin by reflecting on a nation gripped by disillusionment—where economic disparities,social polarization, and institutional subversion cast a long shadow over its democratic fabric. Facedwith this crisis, the Congress launched an unprecedented revival effort. From the emotionally chargedBharat Jodo Yatra that connected leaders with the people, to the historic formation of the INDIAalliance uniting diverse political forces, Khurshid and Yadav recount how Opposition parties rallied to defend the idea of an inclusive, pluralistic India. This pivotal election became a referendum ondemocracy itself, with society viewing it as an opportunity to reclaim constitutional values andreject authoritarianism.

Publisher: Rupa Publications India

Author: Salman Khurshid, Mritunjay Singh Yadav

Pages: 212

ISBN: 9789361563560

Publication Date: 05 April 2025