India, June 17 -- The Congress on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of attempting to lure elected representatives from opposition parties into the BJP and undermining democratic values.

The party alleged that leaders who were elected on a clear anti-BJP platform are being persuaded to switch sides through political inducements and pressure tactics.

The remarks come amid political turbulence in several states, including Maharashtra and West Bengal, where opposition parties are grappling with reports of defections and internal rebellions. Congress leaders claimed that such efforts amount to an assault on the mandate given by voters and weaken the role of the opposition in a democracy.

The part...