New Delhi – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a sharp political attack on the Congress, seizing upon comments made by senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram about the fragile state of the opposition INDIA alliance.
Speaking at the launch of the book “Contesting Democratic Deficit” authored by Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav, Chidambaram expressed doubt over the cohesion and future of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties formed to counter the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
“The future [of the INDIA bloc] is not so bright,” Chidambaram said. “It shows at the seams that it is frayed.”
He added that while some still believe the alliance is intact, he remains uncertain and hopes “it can still be put together” with time. He noted that only Salman Khurshid, part of the bloc’s negotiating team, could provide clarity on the matter.
BJP Reacts Swiftly: ‘Even Rahul’s Aides Have Lost Faith’
Reacting to the remarks, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), asserting that even close aides of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi now recognize the party’s diminishing relevance.
“Congress Leader P Chidambaram predicts: ‘Opposition will not be intact in future, BJP is a formidable organisation’,” Bhandari wrote.
“Even Rahul Gandhi’s close aides know Congress has no future.”
The BJP has used the opportunity to question the stability and unity of the INDIA alliance, which was formed in 2023 with the aim of mounting a united challenge to the ruling BJP in the 2024 general elections.
Chidambaram Calls BJP a ‘Formidable Machinery’
In his address, Chidambaram acknowledged the strength of the BJP’s political apparatus, cautioning that the opposition must fight the party on “all fronts”.
His comments come amid growing speculation about disagreements and lack of coordination within the INDIA bloc following the general elections, in which the BJP retained a dominant position.
Alliance at a Crossroads
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) brought together key opposition players including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP, DMK, RJD, and others. However, internal rifts, policy disagreements, and regional ambitions have repeatedly challenged the coalition’s coherence.
With no formal post-election strategy announced yet, Chidambaram’s remarks have further intensified debates around the longevity and effectiveness of the alliance going forward.
