Congress must lead INDIA and its ouster from the bloc would prove to be disastrous for secular and liberal politics | Arun Srivastava

Jan 14, 2025

A chorus for giving an unwept burial to the INDIA bloc, which till nine months back was perceived as the emancipator to the poor and oppressed and a challenger to the rightist ideology and a secular claimant to power, is reverberating the political circle. It is quite astonishing to see that the pitch of the chorus is not being raised by the saffron ecosystem. Instead leaders of the INDIA bloc, Arvind Kejriwal, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Omar Abdullah, Tejashvi Yadav have been lurid in articulating their opinion. If what they say is to be believed, INDIA has outlived its relevance and necessity.

Tejashvi and Omar prescribed “wind it up” for INDIA, the much-vaunted body which was floated only 18 months back to replace Narendra Modi’s authoritarian rule, on the plea that it was formed for the Lok Sabha election and now it has no future. Omar was quite emphatic; “It has no leader, it has no meetings, it doesn’t seem to be working, let’s call it off and move on.” Their supplication also strengthens the feeling that the “people of India” (INDIA) has lost the battle for survival.

Indeed Kejriwal, Akhilesh, Mamata, Omar, Tejashvi argued that any leader from the regional parties, JD(U), TMC, RJD, NCP or Samajwadi Party would have been suited best for the job of leader of the INDIA. Obviously it implied their short-sightedness. They should have felt the necessity of having a acceptab;e leader at the time of formation of INDIA. Ironically they did not foresee a broader contour and role for it. They should have placed their views before the meeting when it was discussing the modalities of formation of INDIA.

The only reason for their common agreement to float INDIA was the compulsion of “win” in the Lok Sabha election. They had at that point of time not foreseen the necessity for INDIA to emerge as a potent counter force to the rightist forces led by BJP and RSS.

One ought to find out the reason for Mamata and Kejriwal objecting to the proposal of making Nitish Kumar the convenor of INDIA. Besides Lalu Yadav, Nitish is the only leader who represents the aspiration and desires of the Dalits, EBCs and OBCs. In Bengal Mamata was trying to win the OBCs and Namasudras. But BJP had already managed to win them over. Some prominent Namasudra faces have got elected to Lok Sabsembly as BJP candidates.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has threatened to approach other INDIA allies to expel Congress from the alliance. Kejriwal is angry with the Congress for the remarks made by Congress Treasurer Ajay Makan. Kejriwal was right in seeking action against Makan, but his demand for a Congress ouster underscored his political immaturity and also a deep rooted hatred against the old party. It is not that he was unaware of the implication of his call. Though Congress has not won in the last two assembly elections, the fact cannot be overlooked that it still commands the support of Muslims and Dalits. It is an open secret that with Congress in the fray as a potential opponent to AAP, Kejriwal would be the ultimate loser. Again while Kejriwal has not been in favour of reservation for ONC, EBC, his maintaining distance from Muslims during the 2020 communal riots would make the Muslims turn their back on him.

Kejriwal’s revulsion towards Congress owes primarily to Congress filing a complaint against him accusing "misleading and deceiving" the public with promises of "non-existent" welfare schemes. Undoubtedly sign of lack of political immaturity and self-interest getting precedence over national and peoples’ cause. But this would be simplistic evaluation. Rahul trying to set a counter-narrative to Modi’s and RSS’s story and speaking the language of share in the power has shaken the confidence level of the BJP but also of regional parties. Suddenly Rahul, who till other day was described ss Pappu, emerged as the mass leader, public face of protest.

The people of India are witness the reluctance of the opposition parties to raise their voices against the oppressive machinations of Modi and Amit Shah. They preferred to maintain passive silence. The opposition, including Kejriwal, was in a state of inertia and could not muster the courage to speak against BJP, till Nitish Kumar with the support of Rahul Gandhi took the initiative to bring them on a common platform. How could allies forget the fact that Rahul had strived to set a counter-narrative to the saffron ecosystem’s effort to communalise and polarise the country, especially the Hindu community?

Bengal firebrand, Mamata Banerjee, who staked claim to lead the INDIA bloc, has harmed Congress and INDIA more. She has never been a serious ally of INDIA, or for that matter of Congress. She had fielded her candidate in assembly elections to Goa and Tripura. If for argument’s sake it should be assumed that she targeted the Bengalis of Tripura, the question arises whom she was targeting in Goa. At that time it was alleged that she had acted at the behest of BJP. It is a fact that Congress lost due to TMC. The Congress cadres were split. It is known to everyone in Goa that money had played a big role.

No regional leader had offered to lead INDIA, as they had realised that they would not be able to manoeuvre the seat sharing during the Lok Sabha. Being the leader he would have to listen and abide by the majority voice. Taking advantage of this Akhilesh denied seats which Congress deserved and Lalu-Tejashvi combined created a mess in Bihar. INDIA lost at least four Lok Sabha seats in their quest to nominate their favourites. The worst sufferers were the Left, especially CPI(ML).

Though these INDIA constituents are for the removal of Congress and taking the command of the bloc. Mamata has already expressed her desire to lead the bloc. But it is not clear what is the basis for their claim and demand as the INDIA bloc did not nominate or elect its chairman or convenor. Congress chief Malliakarjun Kharge was simply assigned the task of supervising the functioning. Officially he was not assigned any responsibility. Congress being the biggest partner has been speaking on behalf of INDIA. Certainly, the Congress leaders have not asked the regional leaders to speak on behalf of INDIA. Obviously, their argument is irrelevant.

These leaders are aware of the functional constraints of their operation. None of the regional leaders has a pan-India appeal. Mamata fielding her TMC candidate from UP had titillated some people. But did not make any impact. Can Mamata or Akhilesh or Tejashvi or Omar claim that raise storm in other states and ensure victory of their candidates in the elections. These regional leaders look for piggyback riding in whose back they can cross the river electoral Vaitarani.

They liked the idea of putting their bet on Congress during Lok Sabha election, as it was not perceived to dictate them. But now they are scared. Their stance and hostility towards Congress strongly send the message that the allies are afraid of old party gaining strength and succeeding in the mission to revive its support base. It is a known fact that OBC, Dalit and other smaller castes were with Congress barely till the seventies. They shifted their allegiance to the regional parties.

Moreover Rahul’s aggressive attitude towards Narendra Modi and putting him in embarrassing situation even inside the Parliament has unnerved the leaders of INDIA constituents. They are afraid that if Congress is revived it would devour them. The regional parties have grown at the cost of shifting of Congress base to these parties. No doubt the Congress leadership are primarily responsible for it. History of Congress is full of incidents where national presidents and leaders of party discouraged their state leaders to take their political adversaries. They helped regional parties and their leaders grow. Obviously the Congress had to dump its ideology and political interest.

A vicious campaign was launched against the leaders belonging to Nehru-Gandhi family. This was part of a well chalked strategy. The worst affected states have been UP. Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Congress stalwarts of these states who had major say in Delhi politics had warned their proteges not to reveal their machinations which they were resorting to in their states.

Most of the members of the 23-member gang which had raised the banner of revolt against Rahul some year back, were involved in this game. They were scared of the rise of Rahul, who was out to finish their politics of coterie and feudal mode of functioning. Rahul eventually has to make a consequential decision about the character and nature of the Congress he nurses in his dreams and perception. He ought to be credited and admired for rescuing the party from the whirpool of ignominy of being anti people and a powerhouse of corruption.

Rahul’s Bharat Yatra or his emphasis on giving Dalits and OBCs their share in power structure, precisely his move to set a new counter narrative to RSS and BJP’s communal and divisive politics, is rebrand the Congress and push rightist forces out of the political ring. But unfortunately the regional parties are more interested and concerned of their petty politics and gains rather than looking at political canvas in a more meaningful manner.

Congress intends to form an effective coalition with state-level political parties and for this it has even agreed to abide by their diktats, but the regional parties want more,( mange more). In Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh did not give three out of nine to Congress in the recent assembly by election. SP could win only lone. Even after this Akhilesh has problem with Congress. Though Akhilesh is the member of INDIA, he constantly talks of his PDA. He has been in favour of promoting INDIA in UP. In this backdrop his complain against Congress is baseless. From the beginning he has been treating INDIA as the property of Congress. Strange.

It is not that Rahul has not come to comprehend the machinations of the INDIA comrades. This is reason that some ten days back he talked of UPA partners. Baring of course RJD of Lalu all the UPA members are solidly with Congress and do not nurse any misgiving towards Rahul and Congress. It is interesting to note that Rahul BharatYatra received enormous support from UPA partners than his INDIA bloc comrades. Akhilesh was too cold and Mamata did not respond at all. The regional parties and their nurse the feeling Congress will eat them, once its gains space and strength. It is in their interest to denigrate and malign Congress.

Not a single rally or road show was organised by these regional parties to expose BJP’s threat to the democratic institutions and integrity of the country. Bharat Jodo Yatra was a prime example to expose the weakness inherent in the BJP’s brand of Hindu nationalism. Surprisingly some INDIA constituents never criticised BJP’s Hindutva slogan and politics.

Nevertheless the BJP or Modi must not feel elated at this development. Modi could not guarantee that this would give a new life to BJP and help politically. All the constituents would be free to act. May be some of them like Mamata and Sharad Pawar could see through it as a future prospect of coming to power at Delhi. It also cannot be ruled out that Nitish and Chandra babu Naidu would prefer to search for new avenue. Nitish would be happy to become deputy prime minister and Naidu may get enough fund, which he asked for from Modi, to develop his state. Mamata and Pawar may cobble an alliance, like Deve Gowda or Indra Gujral and rule India. INDIA has 247 members, out of which Congress has 99. Congress will be too willing to support any alternate government.

Of course Congress must be faulted for not convening periodical meeting of INDIA, but certainly that is not a major reason for indulging in Congress bashing. The constituent leaders could have forced the big brother. True enough the Congress has been following the path of confrontation with BJP, especially on the issue of Adani, but Mamata was first to oppose it and keep away from the fight. Obviously she was guided by her own personal interest than the national issues.

CPI general secretary D Raja rightly said “Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge must take note of all these developments. He must reach out to all the parties concerned.” However Farooq Abdullah was quite objective “After the Assembly elections in Delhi, they should call all the alliance members for a meeting. If this alliance was only for the parliamentary elections, it should be wound up, and we will work separately. But if it is meant for Assembly elections as well, we will have to sit together and work collectively".