Challenges for the World’s Largest Democracy and Political Opposition

This talk provides an insider’s view of India’s unique democratic journey from 1975 to 2025, highlighting the challenges faced by the world’s largest democracy. It traces the evolution from an era of easy party formation and single-party dominance to today’s coalition politics, frequent floor-crossing (despite the 1985 anti-defection law), and the growing dominance of money, muscle, and marketing over ideology. The discussion examines shifting media roles, perceptions of judicial independence in electoral matters, and contrasts India’s electoral system with the United States’—covering rules, campaign practices, funding transparency, and the powers of election authorities. It further explores modern campaign trends, key issues, and the rising impact of social media in recent Indian and U.S. elections. The talk concludes with the heated debate over opposition claims of “vote robbery” versus the Election Commission’s assertion of free and fair elections.​ 

Anant Gadgil is an award-winning architect, author, and former legislator. In 2024, he was honored with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s ‘Best Parliamentarian’ award by the President of India. A celebrated writer in Marathi and English, his debut book won the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad award. He served as a Maharashtra legislator (2014-2020), held senior Congress party positions, and remains the party’s senior-most spokesperson in Maharashtra for over two decades.​