The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised the latest INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, with Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan describing it as another attempt by the Congress to “re-launch” Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The BJP’s comments came after opposition parties met to finalise a joint programme of protests over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other concerns related to the functioning of the poll panel.
Chouhan Questions Rahul Gandhi’s Leadership
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Chouhan claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s leadership was not being accepted by several parties within the INDIA bloc.
He pointed to the absence of some prominent alliance leaders from the meeting and argued that the opposition grouping was facing internal differences. Chouhan said that “no matter how many times” Congress attempted to re-launch Gandhi, the INDIA bloc did not consider him its leader. These remarks represent the BJP’s political assessment of the opposition alliance.
The BJP leader also alleged that even some Congress members were unwilling to accept Gandhi’s leadership. He cited what he claimed were Gandhi’s remarks during Congress Working Committee meetings seeking support and trust from party leaders.
BJP Highlights Absence of Key Leaders
Chouhan referred to the absence of leaders from some INDIA bloc parties as evidence of differences within the alliance.
The DMK and Aam Aadmi Party did not attend the meeting, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was absent because of his party’s Rajya Sabha nomination process in Uttar Pradesh. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was expected to participate virtually. The meeting was nevertheless attended by Congress leaders, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and representatives of several other opposition parties.
The BJP used these absences to question the extent of coordination among the opposition parties.
INDIA Bloc Announces Joint Protest Programme
The opposition meeting resulted in a proposed programme of joint demonstrations over electoral-roll revision and concerns regarding the Election Commission.
The INDIA bloc announced “Save Democracy” marches between October 2 and October 8. Opposition MPs are also scheduled to march towards the Election Commission on October 6, while the parties have discussed further rallies and programmes in the coming weeks.
The opposition has also raised demands including the use of ballot papers instead of EVMs, access to pre-SIR electoral rolls and stronger safeguards against the deletion of eligible voters.
Opposition Says Fight Is About Electoral Rights
Congress leaders have defended the meeting as an effort to coordinate opposition parties on what they describe as concerns over the electoral process.
Rahul Gandhi reportedly told the meeting that the issue required a united response, while acknowledging that parties within the INDIA bloc continue to compete against each other at the state level. Mamata Banerjee also suggested reaching out to political groups outside the alliance that share concerns over the electoral process.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other opposition leaders have maintained that their campaign is focused on protecting constitutional and democratic institutions.
BJP Calls Meeting ‘Zero Vision, 100% Frustration’
Chouhan described the outcome of the meeting as “zero vision, 100 per cent frustration” and accused the opposition of using the proposed demonstrations as an excuse ahead of future electoral contests.
The BJP has also criticised the opposition’s objections to SIR, arguing that accurate electoral rolls are necessary to ensure that deceased, duplicate or otherwise ineligible names do not remain on voter lists.
The opposition, meanwhile, has raised concerns about the potential exclusion of eligible voters during the revision process and has called for greater transparency and safeguards.
Political Battle Over SIR Continues
The latest exchange reflects the continuing political dispute between the BJP and INDIA bloc over electoral-roll revision, the Election Commission and Rahul Gandhi’s role within the opposition.
While the BJP is questioning the opposition alliance’s internal coordination and Gandhi’s leadership, INDIA bloc parties are seeking to present a coordinated campaign around electoral issues. The competing positions are likely to remain part of the political debate as the opposition’s planned demonstrations begin in October.