Top opposition leaders assembled in the national capital on Monday for a key INDIA bloc meeting that comes at a politically sensitive moment for the alliance, with several partners publicly expressing reservations over Congress’ recent political moves and the coalition’s internal functioning.
The meeting at the Constitution Club is expected to shape the opposition’s strategy against the BJP in the months ahead. However, it is also taking place against the backdrop of concerns among some alliance partners over coordination, mutual trust and political messaging following recent electoral contests and disagreements across states.
Opening the meeting, INDIA bloc chairperson and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged alliance partners to build on the unity displayed in Parliament earlier this year and take on what he described as the political, economic, social and foreign policy challenges facing the country.
According to remarks shared by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on X, Kharge said opposition parties had demonstrated their strength on April 17 by coming together to defeat what he termed the Modi government’s delimitation-related legislation in the Lok Sabha.
He also criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the voting rights of millions of people were being affected. Kharge further raised concerns over inflation, unemployment, examination irregularities, the condition of MSMEs, alleged misuse of investigative agencies and what he described as a compromised foreign policy.
“The pace of new investments needed to create new jobs is simply not happening at that required pace. Private monopolies are growing in many sectors, and the future of MSMEs is in serious crisis,” Kharge said.
Opening Remarks of @INCIndia President Shri Mallikarjun @kharge ji at the meeting of INDIA janbandhan on June 8, 2026
दोस्तों:
मैं INDIA समूह के नेताओं की इस बैठक में आप सभी का स्वागत करता हूं। यह समूह लगभग ठीक तीन साल पहले अस्तित्व में आया था। मैं ज्यादा नहीं बोलना चाहता,…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 8, 2026
He also alleged that atrocities against weaker sections continued unabated and said the aspirations of lakhs of young people were being undermined by repeated failures in the examination system.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal were among the senior leaders who arrived for the meeting.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee attended the meeting along with party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan and leaders from Left parties were also present.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray joined the meeting virtually.
According to senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, representatives of 23 political parties were expected to participate in the meeting. He maintained that opposition parties remained united despite speculation about differences within the bloc.
Leaders of the INDIA bloc are expected to jointly address the media after the meeting concludes.
Congress dismisses concerns over alliance unity
Ahead of the meeting, KC Venugopal accused the BJP of being uneasy about the opposition gathering.
“You understand how scared the BJP is of this meeting,” he told reporters in New Delhi.
Responding to questions about posters targeting Rahul Gandhi that appeared at several locations in Delhi, Venugopal said, “I don’t see any posters.”
Ahead of the meeting, Akhilesh Yadav stressed the need for greater opposition unity and said the alliance remained focused on protecting democratic values.
“Bandhu raj (brotherhood) must be formed, and this will be our effort,” he said, while referring to the political situation in Uttar Pradesh.
Supriya Sule also raised concerns over inflation, unemployment and the economy, saying these issues were affecting people across the country.
CPI(M) clarifies its position on INDIA bloc
Amid reports that some allies were skipping the meeting, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said his decision not to attend should not be interpreted as the party distancing itself from the opposition alliance.
Speaking to IANS, Baby said the CPI(M) had played an important role in the formation and coordination of the INDIA bloc but objected to allegations made by senior Congress leaders during elections in Kerala.
He said Congress leaders had accused the CPI(M), the Left parties and the Left Democratic Front of having an understanding with the BJP, allegations he described as baseless and unacceptable.
Baby said he had written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on the issue and shared the communication with other INDIA bloc constituents.
“This does not mean that we are disassociating from the INDIA bloc. Our Rajya Sabha member John Brittas will attend the INDIA bloc meeting today,” he said.
He added that Congress, as the principal opposition party, should do more to coordinate with allies and take them into confidence if it wants to build a stronger opposition front against the BJP.
Left parties seek mutual trust within alliance
Communist Party of India general secretary D Raja said one of the issues likely to be raised was the criticism directed at the Left during the Kerala Assembly election campaign.
“The Left has an alliance with the BJP. Such things cannot be accepted; there has to be a mutual trust. In the absence of mutual respect and trust, how can we build a united movement?” Raja said.
He added that the INDIA bloc had been formed with the common objective of “Desh Bachao, BJP Hatao” and discussions should focus on strengthening that effort.
DMK absent, BJP attacks opposition gathering
One notable absence at Monday’s meeting was the DMK. The party stayed away amid recent political developments in Tamil Nadu, where Congress ended its long-standing alliance with the party and joined hands with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Despite the absence, CPI(ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya said the DMK remained aligned with the opposition bloc’s broader objectives.
“Leaders from DMK may not be attending this meeting, but DMK is with us. Today, the situation is unprecedented, and it requires that we fight together,” he said.
The BJP, meanwhile, dismissed the significance of the meeting. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak claimed the opposition alliance lacked public support and described it as a gathering of leaders interested only in power.
The meeting assumes significance as opposition parties attempt to regroup, sharpen their political messaging and define a common strategy against the BJP while navigating differences among alliance partners.