Why the INDIA Bloc’s Self-Sabotage Could Undermine Its Success: A Closer Look

Is the INDIA alliance struggling with a “crabs-in-a-bucket” mentality? This concept suggests that individuals pull each other down, preventing anyone from moving up. It seems this is happening within the INDIA bloc, which was created to challenge the resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Instead of focusing on their common goal, many members are more concerned with their infighting, especially during elections.

Take the recent Delhi elections as an example. Several non-Congress members of the INDIA bloc backed Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), even campaigning for it. Meanwhile, Congress was left to fend for itself in a bid to regain influence in the capital.

Then there’s Rahul Gandhi, who seems determined to encroach on his allies’ support bases. He recently championed a caste census in Telangana, suggesting specific reservations for backward communities. While this might seem beneficial for inclusivity, it raises alarms among Congress’s allies who rely on these voter segments, like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

The alliances within the bloc cover diverse communities. Dalits, tribals, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) form the backbone of support for many of these parties. Yet, Gandhi’s actions could create friction, especially since others like the RJD and DMK have their own voter segments they want to protect.

Gandhi even had a scathing exchange with Kejriwal during the Delhi campaign, where he criticized AAP’s leadership amid corruption allegations. This was not just random criticism; it was a strong message to party allies who have benefited from Congress’s struggles.

Despite the alliance’s pledge to take on the BJP, their constant infighting is doing more harm than good. Their internal disagreements could mean the INDIA bloc remains just an idea, hindered by their inability to unite.

Conflicts are widespread. Parties like the RJD, JMM, and NCP are hesitant to see Congress gaining ground in their territories like Bihar and Maharashtra. They know their growth hinges on taking space from Congress, even as they recognize the threat of the BJP continuing to gain traction.

There’s also AAP, with Kejriwal eyeing a prime ministerial role. His ambitions make it difficult for him to play a supportive role in a coalition. At the same time, Congress, grappling with past electoral defeats, struggles to build trust among its INDIA partners while needing them to take on the BJP together.

The rise of Narendra Modi poses a further challenge for the opposition. His administration has deftly exploited the INDIA bloc’s internal strife, showcasing how disunity can weaken the opposition. Once impactful parties like the Janata Parivar and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have lost their luster, and other regional parties seem to be drifting towards irrelevance.

The INDIA bloc had a chance to grow and build a robust opposition against the BJP by integrating some of these fading parties. Instead, their internal disputes may have left them weaker and more fragmented than ever. Could this be why the BJP continues to dominate in recent elections?

(Sunil Gatade is a former associate editor with PTI. Venkatesh Kesari was an assistant editor with The Asian Age.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author