Leaders of opposition parties began gathering in the national capital on Monday for a crucial INDIA bloc meeting aimed at sharpening coordination ahead of the upcoming Parliament session and charting a broader political strategy for the years ahead.
The meeting, being held at the Constitution Club under the banner of “INDIA Janbandhan”, comes at a delicate moment for the opposition alliance. While 23 political parties have confirmed participation, the absence of the DMK and growing unease among some partners have brought questions over the bloc’s internal cohesion back into focus.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said several parties had expressed their inability to attend the meeting but continued to share the alliance’s opposition to the Narendra Modi government’s policies. The gathering is expected to focus on issues ranging from the economy and inflation to unemployment, parliamentary coordination and the opposition’s political roadmap.
Opposition looks to close ranks before Parliament session
With the Monsoon Session of Parliament approaching, opposition leaders indicated that the meeting would centre on what they described as pressing public concerns.
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad said the alliance was meeting at a time when citizens were facing hardships, alleging rising inflation, unemployment and distress among farmers. He said opposition parties would discuss issues affecting ordinary people and prepare for debates in Parliament.
Congress leader Srikant Jena also suggested that economic challenges and India’s foreign policy would feature prominently in the discussions. Speaking to ANI, he said the economic situation was likely to be one of the key agenda items before the alliance.
Trinamool Congress leaders Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are expected to attend the meeting. Party MP Derek O’Brien sought to underline the alliance’s unity, saying the INDIA bloc remained committed to working together despite its diversity.
DMK’s absence highlights tensions within alliance
The most notable absentee from the meeting is the DMK, one of the Congress party’s long-standing allies.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan launched a sharp attack on the Congress ahead of the meeting, accusing it of becoming an unreliable partner. He claimed DMK workers were unhappy over Congress’ political decisions in Tamil Nadu and suggested that several parties could eventually reconsider their place in the alliance.
“Our cadres are unhappy with Congress,” Elangovan said, adding that the party’s recent moves had raised concerns among alliance partners.
His remarks have added to speculation about strains within the opposition grouping, even as Congress leaders continue to insist that the alliance remains united on core issues.
Alliance partners reject talk of disunity
Several leaders sought to counter suggestions of internal discord.
In Jharkhand, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha dismissed reports of friction over the Rajya Sabha seat-sharing arrangement between the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). He said alliance leaders had collectively taken decisions and expressed confidence that both parties would win their respective seats.
Sinha also defended the rationale behind the INDIA bloc, saying it was formed to collectively respond to concerns over democratic institutions, constitutional values and employment-related issues.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray is participating virtually in the meeting. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut reiterated that the party remained a committed member of the alliance and supported efforts to strengthen opposition unity ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
What the INDIA bloc is expected to discuss
According to Congress leaders, the meeting will focus on strengthening coordination among constituent parties and evolving a common political strategy for future electoral battles.
In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh said opposition parties remained united in their criticism of issues ranging from inflation and unemployment to alleged attacks on democratic institutions and opposition leaders.
While the gathering is intended to showcase opposition unity, Monday’s meeting will also be closely watched for signals on how the alliance plans to navigate emerging differences and maintain cohesion as it prepares for the next phase of national politics.