In fact I think it is the western influence. In late 90s - early 00s when Russia had a real opposition Putin was expressing sentiment that the Western countries have “loyal opposition” with slight variation of the status quo while people who want a real change are on the fringes of the political spectrum. This was contrasting Russian opposition which wanted to reshape the country completely.

He saw his consolidation of power as a way to build a sustainable western-like two party system, where conservatives and liberals discuss some minor issues.

That’s why western critics annoys him so much - he sees it as massive hypocrisy. For instance Occupy movement is ridiculed and demolished by the whole weight of the western establishment with a little chance to build a party and gain seats in a parliament.