The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), an opposition coalition formed in July 2023 with the aim of challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, has faced a series of setbacks even before the Election Commission announced dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.“The Congress cannot think beyond a single family. A few days ago, they put together a Bhanumati ka Kunba (Bhanumatis clan, meaning a group of disparate people) but then they started Ekla chalo re (Walk alone),” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his veiled jibe at INDIA during his address to the Lok Sabha last week.#WATCH | Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh | On INDIA Alliance seat sharing for Lok Sabha elections, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, ...I admit that there has been a slight delay. But this is a difficult task because we are contesting against a few… pic.twitter.com/nmEPQCs56y— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2024“The Congress has recently learnt the work of an auto mechanic, so they should by now know what alignment is. But they have managed to throw the Opposition alliance out of alignment... They do not trust each other. How can they have faith in the country,” the prime minister had added.Bharat will bless BJP with 370 seats & NDA with 400+ seats in the Lok Sabha elections. #AbkiBaar400Paar is reverberating across the nation.-PM Shri @narendramodi Ji#BudgetSession #PMModiInLokSabha #NDA400 pic.twitter.com/nCYXbGqCe3— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) February 5, 2024Nonetheless, here are the key five setbacks that INDIA Bloc seems to have facing right now. Congress Exodus in Maharashtra: Despite initial understandings within the INDIA alliance regarding Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, the Congress party witnessed significant defections. Milind Deora and Baba Siddique resigned from the Congress, with Deora joining the Shiv Sena and Siddique aligning with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavans subsequent resignation and move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) further weakened the Congress within the alliance.This time in Kerala Congress Party and UDF will change the political history by winning 20 out of 20 seats in Kerala in the Lok Sabha elections - Kerala Pradesh Congress President @SudhakaranINC… pic.twitter.com/zgoNIBAgfj— Aaron Mathew (@AaronMathewINC) February 4, 2024Nitish Kumars Reversal: Nitish Kumar, who played a pivotal role in initiating the opposition unity movement and forming the INDIA alliance, shocked allies by rejoining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). His return to the NDA fold and subsequent reappointment as Bihars Chief Minister underscored shifting political dynamics and weakened opposition unity in the state.RLDs Alliance Shift: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudharys indication of joining the NDA dealt a blow to opposition hopes, especially in western Uttar Pradesh. The RLDs potential alliance with the BJP could alter electoral equations, posing challenges for the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress in the region.#WATCH | On Lok Sabha elections, Tamil Nadu BJP President K.Annamalai says, Today we opened our partys election office in Chennai. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be historic... As of now, the vote is going to be for Modi ji, it is a pro-Modi vote in 2024. People of Tamil… pic.twitter.com/WApNMM5gqd— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2024AAPs Punjab Solo Act: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals announcement that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would contest all seats in Punjab and Chandigarh independently dashed hopes of an INDIA alliance joint fight in the state. This move reshaped electoral strategies and posed challenges for opposition coordination in Punjab.Mamata Banerjees Bengal Solo Run: Mamata Banerjees decision to contest all 42 seats in West Bengal independently dealt a blow to opposition unity efforts. Her rejection of alliances with the Congress and Left Front further complicated the oppositions prospects in the state, highlighting internal divisions within the INDIA bloc.These setbacks underscore challenges facing the opposition ahead of the elections. Internal discord, defections, and strategic realignments have weakened the cohesion and effectiveness of the INDIA alliance, posing hurdles to its goal of unseating the ruling government. As the electoral landscape evolves, opposition parties must navigate these challenges to mount a credible challenge to the incumbent government.
