With just a few days remaining until the Lok Sabha elections in India, the Election Commission is on the verge of announcing the dates for the upcoming polls. All political parties have already begun their preparations in earnest.
The I.N.D.I.A block, comprising opposition parties, aims to make strides by fielding joint opposition candidates against the BJP and NDA across all parliamentary constituencies. The rationale behind this move is to consolidate anti-BJP votes.
However, fissures within this alliance began to surface within a short span. Initially, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar realigned himself with the BJP, abandoning the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and subsequently formed a government with them in Bihar. Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference's Farooq Abdullah declared his intent to contest the upcoming elections independently.
Media reports also suggest that PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti may soon depart from the India Bloc. Likewise, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its intention to contest the Lok Sabha elections in collaboration with Congress but will independently contest state elections. These developments indicate a disintegration of the alliance even before the elections.
Sputnik India asked senior journalist Arjun Deshpremi, who has covered several Lok Sabha elections in India and keeps a close eye on Indian politics, whether the I.N.D.I.A alliance still has any relevance even after some parties left it? Deshpremi opined that the I.N.D.I.A alliance has become merely a façade for photo ops.
"With elections looming, the alliance has failed to reach consensus on critical issues such as a common program, leadership, or any other pertinent matter. It has utterly floundered in its endeavor to mount a political challenge against the incumbent Modi government. Rahul Gandhi's Nyay Yatra lacks clear purpose, baffling both Congress leaders and workers," Deshpremi remarked.
He further noted that the alliance was never solidified and often deviated from its core objectives. Despite being helmed by Congress, the departure of prominent party leaders has eroded confidence among other alliance members.
"The alliance was never firmly established; it was more of a farce. Consequently, regional parties like JDU, TMC, and AAP began distancing themselves. Notably, key figures within Congress, including Ghulam Nabi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora, have exited the party, further undermining the alliance's credibility," Deshpremi elaborated.