The INDIA Bloc — led by Opposition parties — is all set to gather once again in New Delhi to brainstorm their strategy against the Central government,
led by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to reports, as many as 23 parties are likely to attend the crucial meeting to redraw their strategy to take on the BJP and discuss differences among themselves. This is the first big meet of the Opposition, after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) faced a crushing defeat against the BJP in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, and also the DMK which lost its power in Tamil Nadu, to a debutant party, led by TVK chief and CM Joseph Vijay. The opposition grouping is set to deliberate on the future course of action and will aim to put a united face to take on the Modi government on national issues in the run-up to the next election cycle in states and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. The last crucial gathering of INDIA bloc leaders was held on August 7, 2025, after Rahul Gandhi hosted a crucial strategy dinner for top opposition leaders at his New Delhi residence that brought together nearly 50 leaders from over 25 opposition parties. They discussed alleged electoral manipulation, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar, was raised. Prior to that, the opposition leaders sat together on June 1, 2024, just ahead of the Lok Sabha election results.
INDIA Janbandhan Stands United, Says Congress
In a post on X ahead of the meeting, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that 23 political parties have confirmed their participation in the "INDIA janbandhan" meeting, while asserting that the opposition bloc continues to stand united through its diversity.
Ramesh claimed some parties have expressed their inability to attend this meeting for their own reasons, even though they have conveyed their strong opposition to the Modi government's policies and actions.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar said, "...We demonstrated in 2024 that the INDIA alliance was capable of bringing the BJP down to earth, and in 2029, we will show them once again how a change of power takes place... We, the INDIA alliance, will win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with a massive majority, and the country will witness change."
On the DMK not attending the INDIA alliance meeting, he said, "...If they wish to pursue secular politics in the country, they must remain with the INDIA alliance..."
Another Congress leader, Udit Raj, said, "... Our fight to save democracy and the Constitution will continue. Those who will come will be a good thing; we cannot force anyone to come. DMK's ideology does not match the BJP's in any way, so who do they want to empower?... AAP is a by-product of the BJP... If the AAP does not join the Congress or the INDIA alliance, it is indirectly helping the BJP."
Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi, TMC Says Meeting For Common Purpose, Clear Intent
Ahead of Monday’s meeting, TMC supremo and former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has already arrived in New Delhi and was greeted by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal.
Amidst this, TMC MP Kirti Azad commented on the ongoing internal rift within the party after Bengal election drubbing and said, "... The 'gaddaar' MLAs have left and gone. This party (TMC) was founded by Mamata Banerjee through her struggle. Remember, an injured lioness is even more dangerous... There are no cracks in the INDIA bloc..."
23 Parties To Discuss Future Roadmap
Top leaders from 23 opposition parties, including Congress' Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC's Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav of RJD, and Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT), besides Left leaders and those from smaller parties, are likely to attend the meeting at the Constitution Club in the national capital on Monday.
However, the DMK and AAP are unlikely to attend. The TVK, according to Congress sources, is not invited since it does not have any MP in the Parliament.
CPI-M Likely To Raise Congress’ Charge of It Being B-Team To BJP
The recent assembly elections have, however, also brought out differences within the opposition bloc, with the CPI-M set to raise with the Congress the charge that the Left had a political understanding with the BJP in Kerala polls.
The Left parties lost against the Congress-led UDF in the only state they were in power.
The CPI(M), which will be represented by its Rajya Sabha leader John Brittas at the meeting, is likely to flag the issue and seek clarifications from the Congress leadership, sources said.
CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby has written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, saying such accusations were inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that underpins the opposition alliance.
No Mission, No Vision, Only Division - BJP Taunts INDIA Bloc Unity
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said CPI(M) MA Baby's letter raises questions about the unity of the INDIA alliance.
"This is the real state of the INDI alliance -- no mission, no vision, only confusion, division, allegations, and ambition for positions," he said in a video statement.
The INDIA alliance, formed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, comprises several opposition parties that have sought to jointly challenge the BJP-led NDA at the national level.
With inputs from PTI
