The future of INDIA bloc

A situation has emerged that necessitates serious reflection on where the INDIA bloc — the opposition alliance formed on July 23, 2023, in Bengaluru by 28 opposition parties that recognised that extreme Hindutva forces, lacking commitment to a secular democratic Constitution or parliamentary democracy, were rapidly leading the country down a fascist path towards a complete dictatorial regime — stands today. Although leaders such as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had enthusiastically been at the forefront of forming the alliance, soon left to partake in the power offered by the BJP, parties including Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, M. K. Stalin’s DMK, and national parties such as the NCP and the Left remained firmly within the INDIA bloc alongside the Congress. This yielded hopeful results in the 2024 elections to the 18th Lok Sabha. The BJP lost its majority in the Lok Sabha, while Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and others were compelled to accept the reality that they could remain in power only with the support of parties such as the JDU, Telugu Desam Party, and Shiv Sena. That parliamentary status quo continues even now. Consequently, the latest controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill was defeated in Parliament.

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At the same time, a situation has emerged in which the NDA, having managed to secure power in most states, is now positioned to attain a majority in the Rajya Sabha as well. Most recently, the NDA has succeeded in retaining power in West Bengal with a massive majority, while also increasing its number of legislators in Assam by 22. In Tamil Nadu too, the weakening of its principal adversary, the DMK, is providing momentum to the Hindutva forces. There, the Congress, which had contested the election as part of the DMK-led front, has now decided to align with the TVK, which displaced the DMK from power. With the DMK announcing that it would leave the INDIA bloc if such a development materialises, the anti-fascist political platform appears set to face an existential crisis. Earlier, the CPM had remained active within the INDIA bloc when Sitaram Yechury was its General Secretary. However, the party’s Kerala unit does not support participation in any front led by the Congress, maintaining instead that cooperation with the INDIA bloc is possible only outside Kerala. The earlier positions adopted by Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP also indicate a degree of hesitation towards wholehearted cooperation with the alliance. In short, only a few leaders, such as Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, appear to display an unwavering commitment to the INDIA bloc. In the altered political circumstances, it is possible that Mamata Banerjee may once again establish an active relationship with the alliance.

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Negative tendencies such as excessive self-righteous arrogance, reluctance to grasp the seriousness of national issues, and, above all, a lack of commitment to the democratic and secular future of the country are neutralising the INDIA bloc. The role played by the fascist regime’s calculated moves and manoeuvres in worsening this already dire situation certainly cannot be denied. Opposition parties must rise above narrow interests and unite — taking into account broader human and national concerns while safeguarding the essence of federalism — for the healthy survival of democratic India. Under no circumstances should the INDIA bloc be condemned to political euthanasia.