The recent Delhi assembly election results have sent shockwaves through the opposition’s INDIA alliance. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, two key constituents of the coalition, fought the election as rivals, attacking each other with the kind of intensity usually reserved for the ruling BJP. The result? A decisive win for the BJP, deepening fault lines within the opposition camp and prompting fresh questions about the alliance’s viability.
The discord within the INDIA bloc is no longer subtle. It began even before the final results were declared. As early trends indicated a BJP victory, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah remarked sarcastically, “Keep fighting among yourselves!” His words captured the growing frustration within the alliance—a stark contrast to the optimism that had followed the BJP’s setback in the Lok Sabha elections.
This election was not just a local contest; it was a test of the INDIA alliance’s cohesion and strategic foresight. With the BJP struggling in key states like Maharashtra and Haryana, the opposition had an opportunity to present a united front.Instead, Congress and AAP engaged in parallel campaigns that appeared more concerned with outperforming each other than presenting a unified challenge to the BJP. The result was a fractured opposition vote and a resurgent BJP.
*Blame Game and the Deepening Rift*
The aftermath of the Delhi election has seen an outpouring of frustration, with leaders from different parties blaming each other for the debacle. Many have pointed fingers at Congress, accusing it of deliberately weakening AAP by running a campaign that targeted Arvind Kejriwal more than Narendra Modi. Congress, in turn, has dismissed such criticism, arguing that it was never obligated to prop up AAP. “This was a referendum on Kejriwal’s governance, and the people have spoken,” a senior Congress leader remarked.
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav questioned Congress’s approach, pointing out that it seemed more invested in dislodging AAP than in challenging the BJP. CPI General Secretary D. Raja echoed this sentiment, warning that the only way to counter the BJP’s divisive politics was through a united ideological and political front. Congress leader Pawan Khera, however, dismissed these concerns as misplaced, arguing that AAP had contested against Congress in states like Goa, Gujarat, and Haryana without facing similar backlash.
Even more telling was the reaction from Mamata Banerjee, who had already expressed dissatisfaction with the INDIA bloc’s recent electoral performance. “I was the one who built this alliance,” she declared. “If its current leadership cannot manage it properly, then let me take charge.” Her assertion was supported by leaders like Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, indicating growing discontent with Congress’s leadership within the coalition.
*Is This the Beginning of the End?*
Omar Abdullah’s call for dissolving the INDIA alliance has further fueled speculation about its future. “This coalition was meant for the Lok Sabha elections. Since then, there has been no meeting, no common agenda, no leadership. It should be dissolved,” he asserted. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut supported this view, criticizing Congress for failing to keep the alliance alive after the general elections.
In response, Congress’s Manish Tewari defended the alliance’s purpose, stating, “INDIA was not just formed to contest elections. It was created to protect the soul of the nation. It successfully checked the BJP in several states. Its future will be decided collectively.”
But the cracks are now too visible to ignore. The INDIA alliance was formed in June 2023 with the goal of countering the BJP’s dominance and preventing regional parties from being politically marginalized. At its inception, it was hailed as a game-changer, uniting disparate opposition forces under a common platform. However, the past few months have exposed the structural weaknesses of this coalition. The lack of coordination, conflicting regional interests, and absence of a clear leadership structure have all contributed to its current instability.
*The Road Ahead: Lessons for the Opposition*
The Delhi election should serve as a wake-up call for the INDIA alliance. If the opposition is serious about challenging the BJP’s dominance, it cannot afford to be divided. The strategy of contesting separately in key elections has proven disastrous, and unless corrective measures are taken, the BJP will continue to exploit these divisions to its advantage.
The path forward requires difficult but necessary conversations. First, the alliance needs strong, decisive leadership. The lack of a central authority has allowed personal ambitions and regional rivalries to take precedence over the larger goal of defeating the BJP. If Congress wants to lead, it must do so with greater inclusivity and strategic foresight. If other leaders like Mamata Banerjee or Sharad Pawar feel they are better suited for the role, that debate needs to happen transparently.
Second, a clear roadmap for seat-sharing and campaign coordination is essential. The INDIA bloc must avoid situations like the Delhi elections, where internal competition handed the BJP an easy victory. A structured, pre-decided strategy for state elections, rather than last-minute negotiations, will prevent similar missteps in the future.
Finally, the alliance must redefine its messaging. So far, much of its rhetoric has been centered around opposing Modi, but this alone is not enough. The coalition needs to articulate a compelling vision for India—one that goes beyond criticism of the ruling party and offers tangible solutions to economic distress, unemployment, and social divisions.
The Delhi election has laid bare the internal contradictions of the INDIA alliance. Whether this marks the beginning of its end or a turning point towards greater unity will depend on how its leaders respond in the coming months. The lessons are clear: a divided opposition cannot defeat a well-organized BJP. If the alliance fails to address its internal rifts, it risks becoming yet another failed experiment in opposition unity. But if its leaders can recognize the urgency of the moment, set aside their egos, and forge a coherent strategy, the INDIA bloc can still emerge as a formidable force in Indian politics.
The time for introspection is over. The time for decisive action has arrived.
