JD(U) questions INDIA bloc unity ahead of elections (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday questioned the purpose of the INDIA opposition bloc, citing differences among its constituents over leadership, common issues and electoral strategy. The party also pointed to state elections in which several alliance partners are preparing to contest against one another.
The remarks came ahead of a virtual meeting of INDIA bloc leaders scheduled for Thursday evening to discuss a roadmap for protests over the “vote chori” issue and ways to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, according to sources.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the meeting, which is also expected to review preparations for the opposition alliance's rally in Delhi on November 1, sources said.
The meeting comes amid speculation that the government could convene Parliament to pass a Constitution amendment bill involving delimitation to facilitate the early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act.
JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad questioned the alliance's effectiveness, arguing that its constituent parties remain political rivals in several states despite joining forces at the national level.
“Whether they meet virtually or in person, their parties will be seen contesting against each other in upcoming elections. Their contests against each other will be much more difficult than their fight against the BJP,” he said.
Prasad cited Punjab, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress are set to compete against each other, as an example of the challenges facing the opposition alliance.
He also pointed to West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress and Left parties have traditionally been political opponents.
“In Punjab, the AAP and the Congress will be fighting against each other. In West Bengal, people have already seen how the TMC, Congress and Left parties were fighting against one another,” he said.
The JD(U) spokesperson said the absence of agreement on leadership, shared issues and a coordinated electoral strategy raised questions about the INDIA bloc's future direction.
“What, then, is the rationale behind such alliances when there is no consensus on leadership or issues and no plan to contest elections together? The INDIA bloc must clarify the rationale behind such an alliance,” he said.
The remarks come as opposition leaders prepare to discuss their next steps on the “vote chori” issue and coordinate plans for the November 1 rally, even as differences among alliance partners continue to pose a challenge to their electoral unity.
