• Source:JND

INDIA Bloc Meeting: A crucial meeting of the opposition INDIA Alliance is set for Monday, June 8, at the Constitution Club in Delhi. This will be the alliance’s first major gathering after recent state assembly elections, at a time when differences among partner parties have emerged following the results.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday confirmed that 23 political parties will participate. Posting on social media platform X, he wrote, “Like India, the INDIA alliance is also united in its diversity.”

He also noted that the opposition alliance remains united despite some parties choosing to skip the meeting for their "respective reasons".

TMC support and Delhi visit

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has extended strong support for the meeting. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee arrived in Delhi on Sunday. TMC MP Derek O'Brien stated that all participating parties are attending with a shared objective and clear intent. This is the first INDIA bloc meeting after TMC’s setback in the West Bengal assembly elections.

Following the BJP’s sweeping victory in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress has also faced internal dissent after a rebellion by 58 MLAs supporting expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee.

Leaders expected to attend the meeting include Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, among others.

What Is Key Meeting About?

No official agenda has been released, but the meeting is expected to cover a range of national and political issues.

The Congress has alleged that the central government is weakening citizens’ voting rights, undermining the Constitution, and misusing investigative agencies against opposition leaders. It has also accused the government of rising inflation, unemployment, and compromising national interests in foreign policy. Opposition parties may work toward building a common strategy on these issues.

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Potential absences: DMK & AAP

Tensions within the alliance are visible ahead of the meeting. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is expected to skip the event, citing “betrayal” by Congress which backed the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after the elections. Reports also suggest that the Aam Aadmi Party (Aam Aadmi Party) may not attend.

ALSO READ: 'No One Lives With A Wife Who Runs Away': DMK Jabs Congress, Rules Out Future Alliance

Congress-CPI(M) Tension Grows Deeper

Tensions have also escalated between Congress and the CPI(M) after Congress leaders accused the CPI(M) of colluding with the BJP during the Kerala elections.

CPI M Leader MA Baby wrote to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge seeking clarification on these allegations. In his letter, he asked for clarification regarding claims made by some Congress leaders during the Kerala Assembly election campaign that the Left party had an understanding with the BJP.

Despite the tensions, CPI(M) has decided to attend the meeting, and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas is expected to represent the party. He may also raise the issue during discussions.

BJP questions opposition's unity

Ahead of the meeting, the BJP has challenged the INDIA alliance’s unity. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the alliance has “no mission, no vision, only confusion.”

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari dismissed the criticism, saying the meeting’s outcome should be awaited. With 23 parties participating amid ongoing internal disagreements, this gathering is being viewed as a critical test of the INDIA alliance’s cohesion.


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