Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has expressed concerns regarding the current state of the opposition alliance, INDIA (I.N.D.I.A). He stated that the alliance currently appears to be weakening.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has voiced apprehension about the opposition alliance, I.N.D.I.A. He explicitly stated his lack of confidence in the alliance's current strength. Chidambaram's remarks come at a time when Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's praise of Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy and the ceasefire with Pakistan has already raised questions about the party's strategy.
In a public event, P. Chidambaram said, "I would be happy if this alliance remains b, but it doesn't seem so at the moment. It appears to be weakening." Senior Congress leader and member of I.N.D.I.A's negotiation committee, Salman Khurshid, was also present at this event.
'Opposition Faces a Struggle, but Unity Remains Elusive'
Chidambaram further stated that the I.N.D.I.A alliance faces a formidable political force in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and organizational unity is crucial to counter it. He said, "Perhaps, hardly any political party in history has been as organized and resourceful as the BJP today. It possesses a powerful election machinery operating strategically on all fronts."
According to Chidambaram, if the opposition aims to challenge this b ruling structure, mere rhetoric will not suffice. "This alliance can still be united. It's not too late, but serious efforts are needed," he added.
Questions Raised on the Alliance's 'Ground Reality'
Chidambaram's statement also indicated his waning confidence in the structure and functioning of the I.N.D.I.A alliance. He directly stated that mere announcements and nomenclature do not create political strength unless there is a b grassroots presence. His statement comes at a time when the I.N.D.I.A alliance has failed to reach consensus on several issues.
From seat-sharing to state-level leadership, the alliance has faced disagreements on multiple fronts. These differences have been openly visible in states like Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, and Kerala.
Praise for Modi Government and Internal Congress Dynamics
Prior to Chidambaram's statement, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had praised the Modi government's ceasefire along the border with Pakistan and 'Operation Sindhur.' He stated that the government's initiative was positive and would contribute to peace in the region. Following Tharoor's remarks, Chidambaram's open acknowledgment of the Modi government's powerful election machinery suggests the emergence of a faction within Congress that favors a more realistic approach rather than criticism of the government's strategy.
Are Disagreements Within Congress Deepening?
With Chidambaram and Tharoor being prominent Congress figures, their public praise of government strategies and questioning of the opposition alliance suggests ideological and strategic discord within Congress. Salman Khurshid, a member of I.N.D.I.A's negotiation committee, did not directly respond to Chidambaram's comments but stated that the struggle is long and everyone's role is important. This statement further confirms the ongoing lack of clarity regarding the alliance's direction and condition.
