Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Dec 7: After the rout in the Maharashtra state Assembly elections, closely following the defeat in Haryana last month, the opposition INDIA bloc seems to be in shambles. A rift erupted in the “Maha Vikas Aghadi” in Maharashtra with the Samajwadi Party quitting the alliance on Saturday while the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent remarks over leading the opposition INDIA bloc have sparked a flurry of reactions from allies within the coalition.
Speaking to a news channel on Friday, Ms Banerjee had expressed frustration about the alliance’s leadership and coordination. “I had formed the INDIA bloc, now it is up to those leading the front to manage it. If they can’t run the show, what can I do? I would just say that everyone needs to be taken along,” she said.
When asked why she herself hadn’t taken charge of the bloc, Ms Banerjee stated, “If given the opportunity I would ensure its smooth functioning. I don’t want to go outside West Bengal, but I can run it from here.” Ms Banerjee’s comments quickly triggered speculations of her potentially leading the INDIA bloc, prompting clarification from Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, who denied that Ms Banerjee sought leadership for personal ambition.
“She never said anything like this, she said she founded the INDIA alliance and that it was a necessary front against BJP. Her priority is West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is not interested in a chair in Delhi. If the INDIA bloc demands her leadership, she will do so from Kolkata only,” Mr Ghosh said.
Several prominent leaders from allied parties weighed in on Ms Banerjee’s statements. “I don’t know what she means exactly, after the exit polls came out there was only one meeting of INDIA alliance. It is a fact but one should understand what is the objective of INDIA bloc. ‘Desh Bachao, BJP Hatao’ this was a common resolve. Point here is the situation is not the same in every state,” said CPI(M) leader D Raja.
The Congress, seen as the largest party in the INDIA bloc, responded cautiously to Ms Banerjee’s remarks. “She has her opinion and intent. Mamata Banerjee is a member of the INDIA bloc. Whatever conversations happen, it is natural that everyone will sit together and decide,” said Congress leader TS Singhdeo.
Congress leader Rashid Alvi pointed to the need for consensus within the coalition. “Nitish Kumar also expressed his desire to lead the INDIA bloc. But in a coalition of this magnitude, leadership decisions are not made unilaterally. It requires agreement and consultation among all members. The bloc will collectively decide who will lead, who will be the convener, or if there will be a chairperson, who that person will be. It’s natural for leaders to aspire to lead, but such decisions are not about individual ambitions,” he said.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar echoed this sentiment, saying, “The INDIA bloc is a coalition of many parties, and leadership decisions will be made collectively.” Another Congress MP, Tanuj Punia, said that these decisions should be discussed with the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
“This matter should be discussed with the Leader of Opposition and the party’s National President. It’s not something to be debated in the media. If Mamata Banerjee has suggestions, they should be presented for discussion among all member parties, and decisions will be taken accordingly,” he said.
While INDIA partners Congress and CPI(M) expressed caution, Samajwadi Party leader Udaiveer Singh voiced support for Ms Banerjee. “She is a senior leader, she has a lot of experience. She is capable. Our party’s relationship with her is good and we have trust in her leadership. INDIA bloc leaders together need to decide what needs to be done. If such a decision is taken, we will support it,” Mr Singh said.
The TMC’s dominance in West Bengal has bolstered its position within the INDIA bloc. Recent bypoll victories, including defeating the BJP, have reinforced Mamata Banerjee’s stature as a formidable anti-BJP force. However, internal differences within the bloc and criticism over coordination have raised questions about its effectiveness. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee recently urged Congress and other INDIA bloc allies to set aside egos and recognise Ms Banerjee as the leader of the alliance.
Even within Parliament, the INDIA bloc is lately failing to act as a cohesive unit. Only last week, the TMC put the Congress on notice stating that it would no longer blindly follow the main opposition party in disrupting the proceedings of the House on Adani issue as it wanted Parliament to function to raise issues concerning people and West Bengal.
The INDIA bloc, which comprises over two dozen opposition parties, was formed to counter the BJP’s dominance. However, internal divisions and the competing ambitions of its leaders posed challenges which reflected in election results in states like Haryana and Maharashtra.
Causing a serious breach in the MVA, the Uttar Pradesh –based Samajwadi Party announced on Saturday that it was walking out of the MVA because of an advertisement released by a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s close aide hailing the demolition of Babri Masjid 32 years ago.
The SP’s move comes in response to Sena (UBT) secretary and MLC Milind Narvekar’s post on Babri masjid demolition. Mr Narvekar has posted a photo of the demolition of the mosque accompanied by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s quote “I am proud of those who did this.” The Shiv Sena (UBT) secretary also posted images of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and himself in the post.
While the MVA members boycotted the oath taking ceremony of the newly-elected members saying that the “Mahayuti” victory was credited to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), two MLAs of the Samajwadi Party refused joined with them and went ahead with taking oath.
“An advertisement was given by Shiv Sena (UBT) in a newspaper congratulating those who demolished Babri masjid. His (Uddhav Thackeray) aide has also posted on X hailing the demolition of the mosque,” Maharashtra SP unit chief Abu Azmi said. “We are quitting the MVA. I am speaking to (Samajwadi Party president) Akhilesh Singh Yadav,” Mr Azmi said. “If anyone in the MVA speaks such language, what is the difference between the BJP and them? Why should we stay with them?” Mr Azmi asked.
“The Samajwadi Party is willing to function alone in Maharashtra, but it will never tolerate becoming a part of the communal ideology of Shiv Sena UBT while remaining in the Maha Vikas Aghadi,” Mr Azmi tweeted.
“Shiv Sena should reflect on this. A minimum understanding was established to set aside radical Hindu ideologies, but if such a radical stance is adopted, parties like the Samajwadi Party and others will need to reconsider their position. This is our perspective. We want Uddhav’s Shiv Sena to address this issue and clarify why such sentiments are being expressed,” he added.
Boycotting oath-taking, MVA leaders gathered near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at the Maharashtra Assembly to explain their stance. “We boycotted the oath-taking ceremony today as democracy is being murdered by the use of EVMs. This (the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections) is not the mandate of the public it is the mandate of EVM and the Election Commission of India,” said Aditya Thackeray.
Other senior opposition leaders, including Nana Patole of Congress and Jitendra Awhad of the NCP, echoed concerns over what they termed an “undemocratic attitude” of the ruling alliance and reiterated demands for elections to be conducted using ballot papers instead of EVMs.
