Some hidden problems in India alliance
(Dr Pentapati Pullarao)
In June 2023, under leadership of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the India Alliance was formed. Against all odds, great unity was achieved in the opposition. The India Alliance won 232 MPs out of 543 and managed to reduce the dominance of the BJP in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Bihar, only because there was unity in opposition parties.
Of course, there was also the comical side, since the founder of India alliance Nitish Kumar himself ditched the Alliance in December 2023 and gave BJP alliance a chance to win 30 out of 40 MPs in Bihar.
Very carefully, the India Alliance never announced a prime minister candidate. They felt that such a measure would create dis-unity amongst members.
- The objective of India alliance was to ensure that only one Opposition candidate faced the BJP and there was maximum unity amongst opposition parties.
- By such unity, in 2024, India Alliance won 85 MPs, while in 2019, the India Alliance won only 22 MPs. This meant a fall of 63 MPs. This fall nearly stopped the BJP from forming the third Modi government.
- There was already unity in Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Haryana and since Mamata Banerjee was all powerful in Bengal, no unity was needed there.
- Normally for the last 17 parliament elections since 1952, Congress usually contested more than 475 MPs. But in 2024, Congress contested only about 340 MP seats.
Rahul Gandhi becomes Leader of Opposition:
Congress won 99 MPs and by itself was the largest Opposition party and had required 55 MPs. This had positive consequences for the Congress. But other India Alliance parties are not too happy at the dominating stances that Rahul Gandhi has been taking. There is hidden tension building up quietly against Congress dominance of the Opposition.
The anxiety and worry in the non-Congress opposition parties is because in many states, the rise of the Congress means that they will come down.
- The regional parties in the India Alliance are opposed to the BJP. But within their states, they are also fighting the Congress. In Bengal, Mamata does not want Congress to grow. Similarly, Akhilesh Yadav does not want the Congress to take away his votes. Kejriwal does not want the Congress to gain in Delhi and Punjab.
- In Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, the Congress is an ally of regional parties. But they don’t the Congress to grow and threaten them.
India Alliance after 2024 elections:
India Alliance won 234 MPs in 2024. Congress won only 99 MPs out of this. Yet, the Congress has been acting as if it is the leader of the entire opposition. The other Opposition parties are silent now. But they are unhappy.
Rahul Gandhi’s role after 2024 elections:
Rightfully, Rahul Gandhi has claimed the role of leader of opposition, since Congress is the biggest opposition party. Since then, Rahul Gandhi has been aggressive in parliament and outside.
This style of Rahul Gandhi has had many impacts. Naturally, BJP has to prepare and answer his actions. But the
un- intended consequences “have been that the other Opposition parties are side-lined, and they feel it, but can’t say it.
They are very un-comfortable with Rahul Gandhi’s s domination.
Rahul Gandhi is a solo show and other Opposition leaders are now playing “supporting- actors “to him. Before 2024 elections, Congress was careful not to create jealousy and tension with Alliance parties. But now, there is no caution.
No deference is being shown to other Opposition leaders and the scenario is that Rahul Gandhi is the leader of entire Opposition. That is not correct. Rahul Gandhi is only the Leader of Congress.
That is why one will notice that Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav and others are meeting separately at times. With regard to Maharashtra, the Alliance partners of Congress will wait for the Maharashtra election to be over and see how they were treated.
Akhilesh Yadav is making his presence felt in parliament and showing that he is his own leader. Even Mamata Banerjee party is showing independence away from Congress at times.
In Maharashtra, a quiet clash is brewing in the INDIA Alliance . Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray know that if Congress becomes strong, they will be sidelined in Maharashtra.
Akhilesh Yadav is a shrewd man. Akhilesh Yadav reminds one of the great Spanish writers Miguel Cervantes said 500 years ago:
“ Be slow of tongue and quick of eye.”
Akhilesh is watchful and speaks only correctly. No insults or harmful speeches. Akhilesh Yadav and others are aware that they have 2 problems. One is Narendra Modi and the other is their alliance party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Akhilesh will not rebel openly before the 2027 UP elections. But Akhilesh will carefully preserve his space and not surrender to Rahul Gandhi’s domination.
The great American president Abraham Lincoln 175 years formulated a great political theory. Lincoln followed the policy of “ Leading from behind “ and also making his Cabinet a “ team of Rivals “, by including all bitter enemies. . By such tactics , Abraham Lincoln became the un-disputed leader at that time.
Rahul Gandhi should read up Abraham Lincoln’s history: . Lead from behind and form a “Team of Rivals “.
Rahul Gandhi should be less dominating as it has aroused the fears and anxieties of other opposition leaders. Corrective actions can be taken by allowing other opposition leaders to be in the fore front. But there will be no open show of feelings till the State elections are over in 2024. The results will impact non-Congress members of India Alliance will demand a bigger role.
(Author is a Delhi based Political and Economic Analyst)
