DMK no longer an ally, TMC out of office: INDIA bloc faces toughest test today
The opposition INDIA bloc is set to hold a crucial meeting in New Delhi on Monday, with representatives of 23 political parties expected to participate
The opposition INDIA bloc is set to hold a crucial meeting in New Delhi on Monday, with representatives of 23 political parties expected to participate in an effort to recalibrate strategy, project unity and address internal differences following recent assembly election setbacks. Top opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, are likely to attend the meeting at the Constitution Club. Read Full Story Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said 23 parties have confirmed participation in the gathering, describing it as a meeting of the "INDIA janbandhan" and asserting that the alliance remains united despite ideological and regional diversity. According to Ramesh, some parties have expressed their inability to attend the meeting but have reiterated their opposition to the Narendra Modi-led government's policies.
The DMK and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are unlikely to participate, while Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to be brought into the alliance fold. The meeting comes at a time when the opposition alliance is facing changing political dynamics after recent state election results. The alliance is expected to discuss a coordinated strategy for upcoming state elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, while attempting to present a united front against the BJP-led NDA. Leaders are also likely to deliberate on issues ranging from electoral reforms and alleged misuse of investigative agencies to rising prices, unemployment and economic concerns. The TMC is expected to raise the issue of alleged attacks on its leaders in West Bengal and seek support from other opposition parties. However, the meeting is also expected to highlight tensions within the alliance. The CPI(M) is likely to seek clarification from the Congress over allegations that Left parties had an understanding with the BJP during the Kerala Assembly elections.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby has already written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, saying such accusations were inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation underpinning the opposition alliance. CPI general secretary D Raja said the formal meeting of the INDIA bloc is taking place after a long gap and that Left parties would raise their concerns during the discussions. The BJP has used the developments to question the cohesion of the opposition alliance. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the differences among alliance partners exposed a lack of unity and common direction. The meeting marks the first official gathering of the INDIA bloc since June 2024, when alliance leaders met ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Opposition leaders had also assembled informally in August 2025 during a strategy dinner hosted by Rahul Gandhi, where concerns over electoral processes, including voter roll revisions in Bihar, were discussed.
The BriefWire