- Uddhav Thackeray’s meeting with Devendra Fadnavis, Mamata Banerjee’s bid for chairmanship, and a bitter Congress-AAP feud in Delhi are deepening cracks in the INDIA alliance. Once a united Opposition front, the bloc is now mired in infighting and confusion.
BY PC Bureau
The INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) coalition, initially formed to present a united Opposition front against the BJP in the 2024 general elections, is now showing signs of disarray. Infighting, leadership conflicts, and a lack of clear strategy among its member parties have put the alliance’s future in jeopardy.
Congress vs AAP: The Delhi Standoff
The alliance’s unity has been publicly questioned in Delhi, where the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are clashing in the run-up to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bypolls and Assembly elections. The two parties, which had earlier aligned for the Lok Sabha elections, are now contesting against each other, with AAP accusing Congress of betrayal and Congress retaliating with reminders of AAP’s past attacks on its leaders. This feud undermines the INDIA bloc’s promise of a united front and raises doubts about its ability to collaborate in critical electoral battles.
"INDI alliance has no agenda, no leadership. It should be scrapped." – Omar Abdullah 😂 pic.twitter.com/6UqNd0hUUM
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) January 9, 2025
Omar Abdullah: “No Clarity on Leadership or Agenda”
Reacting to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav’s statement that the INDIA bloc was limited to the Lok Sabha elections, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the alliance’s lack of direction.
Tejashwi Yadav, when asked about the Congress and AAP contesting the Delhi Assembly elections separately, remarked, “It is not unusual. The primary goal of the INDIA bloc was to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. In such a scenario, it is not unnatural for the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party to have conflicts.”
Responding to Yadav’s comments, Abdullah said, “I cannot say much because we have no involvement in the Delhi elections. The Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and other parties on the ground need to decide how they can effectively fight against the BJP. In the past two elections, AAP has been successful. We will have to wait and see who the Delhi voters choose this time.”
He further criticized the lack of clarity within the INDIA alliance, adding, “As far as I remember, there was no time limit to the INDIA alliance. Unfortunately, no meetings are being held, so there is no clarity about the leadership, agenda, or even the alliance’s existence. If it was formed solely for the Parliament elections, they should wind up the alliance.”
Abdullah’s remarks highlight growing concerns about the INDIA bloc’s cohesion and its ability to function as a united opposition in the face of upcoming state elections and the 2024 general elections.
Uddhav Thackeray’s Meeting with Devendra Fadnavis
In another blow to the alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray’s recent meeting with Maharashtra BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has sparked speculation about his intentions. While Thackeray has dismissed the meeting as routine, it has raised eyebrows among INDIA allies, with many questioning whether his party is still committed to the alliance’s objectives.
Mamata Banerjee’s Power Play
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been openly lobbying to become the chairperson of the INDIA alliance. This has caused unease within the Congress, which sees itself as the natural leader of the coalition. Banerjee’s ambitions have also unsettled regional allies, who fear that her leadership could marginalize smaller parties and intensify power struggles within the alliance.
Lack of Coordination and Unity
As various alliance leaders pursue conflicting strategies, the INDIA bloc appears rudderless. While Rahul Gandhi has focused on nationwide campaigns targeting the BJP, leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, and Akhilesh Yadav remain preoccupied with state-level politics, often at odds with one another. The absence of regular meetings or a cohesive agenda has further exposed the alliance’s internal rifts.
Alliance Losing Momentum
Initially hailed as a powerful counterweight to the BJP, the INDIA alliance is now being criticized for its inability to present a unified front. The BJP has seized the opportunity to highlight the alliance’s dysfunction, questioning its viability as a governing alternative.
Omar Abdullah’s call for clarity or disbandment, combined with escalating infighting and leadership tussles, underscores the challenges facing the alliance. Without immediate course correction and a clear strategy, the INDIA bloc risks fading into irrelevance, leaving the BJP unchallenged in its quest for a third consecutive term in 2024.
