Tue Jan 14 16:16:40 UTC 2025: ## INDIA Opposition Alliance Crumbles as Regional Parties Question Congress Leadership

**NEW DELHI** – Cracks are widening within the INDIA opposition alliance, with regional parties openly questioning the Congress party’s leadership and contribution to the coalition. The alliance, formed to challenge the BJP, is facing a crisis of confidence just six months after a relatively strong showing in the Lok Sabha elections.

Statements by leaders like Tejaswi Yadav of the RJD, suggesting the INDIA alliance is solely for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, indicate a potential fracturing of the group. This follows recent electoral defeats for the Congress in Haryana and Maharashtra, prompting several regional parties to openly criticize the party’s performance and question its ability to lead the alliance.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is capitalizing on the situation, with several regional parties publicly endorsing AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal ahead of the Delhi elections. Kejriwal has even called for the Congress’s removal from the INDIA bloc.

This growing discontent stems from several factors. Regional parties feel the Congress is receiving disproportionate attention and resources within the alliance, and isn’t contributing sufficiently to the broader opposition cause. Concerns are also raised about the Congress’s past alliances with the BJP, leaving some regional parties questioning the urgency of supporting a coalition that primarily benefits the Congress.

Furthermore, some regional parties, like the Samajwadi Party and RJD, fear that Congress’s push for greater influence in their respective states will undermine their own dominance. Historic grievances also play a role, with parties like the RJD citing past actions by the Congress as reasons for their distrust.

The Congress’s internal challenges are also contributing to the alliance’s instability. The party’s recent electoral setbacks have dimmed the successes of initiatives like the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and a lack of strategic planning and internal reforms are cited as key weaknesses. This weakness, coupled with the BJP’s consolidation of power in states like Maharashtra, is leaving the INDIA alliance struggling to maintain its unity. The article concludes by suggesting that the Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, needs to significantly improve its performance and strategic planning to regain the trust of its allies and maintain a viable opposition to the BJP.

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