The INDIA bloc, which came together in 2023 to take on the BJP’s electoral dominance, is now facing what appears to be a complete disintegration, as internal fissures deepen and key allies withdraw from the arrangement.

The latest blow came on Tuesday, when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) made it clear that it was no longer part of the opposition alliance. AAP MP Sanjay Singh, addressing the media, said that the INDIA bloc was only meant for the Lok Sabha elections and that the collaboration had run its course. Singh added that AAP could not be expected to repeatedly align with a party like the Congress, which remains its chief rival in several key states and was instrumental in the February 2024 political upheaval in Delhi that saw the AAP government come under pressure.

The announcement follows weeks of speculation over the future of the alliance, which was described by many political observers as a marriage of convenience, forced by the overwhelming electoral strength of the BJP and the growing concern over democratic backsliding and centralisation of power.

Adding to the perception that the bloc is now crumbling, senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said at a book launch last month that he was not sure if the INDIA alliance even existed anymore. Chidambaram’s remarks, though made in a personal capacity, added to the chorus of doubts being raised by political commentators and rival parties.

The INDIA alliance had brought together ideologically diverse and politically competitive parties such as the Congress, AAP, TMC, DMK, RJD, SP, and others, who had vowed to stand together to present a unified front against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While the bloc performed reasonably well in some states, the lack of cohesion, frequent infighting, and absence of a shared national agenda have increasingly come to the fore.

AAP’s decision to publicly sever ties comes after months of growing friction with the Congress. AAP leaders have often accused the Congress of acting in tandem with the BJP, particularly in Delhi and Punjab, where AAP is in direct competition with the grand old party.

The Congress, on its part, has made no official response to AAP’s announcement, but sources within the party say they were not surprised. Many in the Congress camp believe the alliance lacked long-term viability, especially with key partners like AAP and TMC not fully invested in joint campaigning after the elections.

The developments around the INDIA bloc come as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to chair a key meeting of the Union Council of Ministers, signalling the government’s forward-looking posture and consolidation of authority following the recent elections.

This meeting, expected to focus on policy planning, performance reviews, and administrative coordination, underscores the contrast between a united ruling front and a fragmented Opposition. Political observers believe that the disarray in the INDIA alliance offers the BJP a strategic advantage in state elections slated later this year.

Meanwhile, regional parties like the TMC and DMK, while still officially non-committal on exiting the alliance, have largely reverted to individual regional agendas, reducing coordination with other bloc members. Samajwadi Party, RJD, and Left parties have remained silent in the wake of AAP’s announcement, suggesting a lack of enthusiasm to sustain the coalition.

The fallout of this unraveling alliance will be closely watched, especially with several Assembly elections due later this year in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Haryana. With AAP now clearly outside the INDIA formation and Congress battling internal confusion, the Opposition’s challenge to the BJP looks increasingly weak and disjointed.

This situation is a setback for those who hoped to see a cohesive anti-BJP platform, particularly given the BJP's robust electoral machinery, centralised messaging, and grassroots penetration. The inability of the INDIA bloc to agree on seat-sharing, leadership, and long-term strategy has exposed the ideological and tactical contradictions between its members.

Political analysts note that unless a new structure of cooperation is built on trust and clear objectives, such alliances are unlikely to endure in India’s complex multi-party democracy. The exit of AAP and the silence of other parties marks what may be the formal end of an experiment that many had hoped would reshape opposition politics in India.

As the ruling NDA moves forward with policy execution and governance strategies, the Opposition faces an uphill task of rebuilding credibility and unity, if it intends to remain relevant in the rapidly shifting national political landscape

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