“As far as I remember, there was no time limit to the INDIA alliance. Unfortunately, no INDIA alliance meeting is being organized so there is no clarity about leadership, agenda, or the bloc’s existence… They should wind up the alliance in case it was just for the Parliament elections,” he told the media.He also pointed out that the last meeting of the INDIA bloc was held immediately after the Lok Sabha results. “There has been no formal or informal sort of work that has been done for the coalition”, he said. Recently, Abdullah had asked Congress to “not take the leadership for granted.”Claiming that there is no clarity regarding the main leadership, the party, or the agenda for future strategy in the INDIA bloc), he said, “Whether this alliance will continue is also unclear.”He also pointed out that the last meeting of the INDIA bloc was held immediately after the Lok Sabha results. “There has been no formal or informal sort of work that has been done for the coalition”, he said. Recently, Abdullah had asked Congress to “not take the leadership for granted.”Claiming that there is no clarity regarding the main leadership, the party, or the agenda for future strategy in the INDIA bloc), he said, “Whether this alliance will continue is also unclear.”Significantly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav aired similar views when asked about AAP and Congress contesting the Delhi polls separately.”It is not unusual. In the Lok Sabha election, the main motto of the INDIA bloc was to defeat the BJP, and the grouping was formed for that purpose. So, it is not unnatural for the Congress and AAP to have differences.”However, the Bihar ally’s response seems to be an ominous signal for the Congress on the seat-sharing pact ahead of the assembly elections, scheduled for October-November 2025.Adding to the trouble, Congress’ Maharashtra ally Shiv Sena-UBT has also backed the AAP. Its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut criticized Congress for using the ‘antinational’ label against Kejriwal. “Kejriwal served as the Delhi CM for 10 years. When the BJP uses such labels against Congress leaders, we oppose them. However, Congress using the same label for their ally during campaigning is wrong. Fighting the elections against each other is fine, but there should be dignity and patience because we have to come together sooner or later,” Raut had said.The Congress — which sees itself as the fulcrum of opposition unity — has been facing isolation since its demanding ally TMC chief Mamata Banerjee signaled her intent to take charge of the alliance if given the opportunity. The fissures in the alliance were apparent during the just concluded winter session of Parliament when SP flexed muscles and distanced itself from joining Congress in raising the ‘Adani issue’, in Parliament.
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