At INDIA bloc meet, allies confront Congress over name-calling: Inside details

Published 8 June 2026 · local

The fissures within the Opposition were visible on Monday, with several parties criticising the Congress over its leadership of the multi-party INDIA alliance. Sources told

The fissures within the Opposition were visible on Monday, with several parties criticising the Congress over its leadership of the multi-party INDIA alliance. Sources told India Today TV that several constituents of the INDIA bloc raised concerns over a lack of coordination and alleged instances of name-calling by Congress leaders during election campaigns. The criticism was reportedly first flagged by Akhilesh Yadav, after which other leaders, particularly from Left parties, echoed similar concerns. Some leaders also questioned the effectiveness of holding meetings only once a year, calling for more regular consultations. Read Full Story In response, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that while the alliance remains united at the national level, he also has to take into account feedback from state unit leaders on local political conditions during election campaigns.

Earlier in the day, leaders of 25 Opposition parties met in New Delhi to discuss a united strategy to take on the BJP-led government over several political and economic issues, ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The Opposition bloc decided that it would meet every two months, with the next meeting scheduled to be held in Hyderabad in August, though the exact date will be finalised later. The INDIA bloc also decided to send a letter to the Chief Justice of India regarding alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls, besides demanding the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and CBSE exam controversy.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the leaders also demanded that the Union government convene an all-party meeting to discuss the “precarious” economic situation in the country, along with unemployment, price rise, farmers’ issues, and concerns of marginalised sections of society. Senior Opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, attended the meeting. Kharge said the INDIA bloc leaders would continue to meet for coordination during the Monsoon Session and, as usual, would meet in the Leader of Opposition’s chamber. He added that all leaders expressed their views freely, while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and JMM leader Hemant Soren joined the meeting virtually.