NEW DELHI: Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on Monday in what will be the alliance’s first major huddle after recent Assembly election setbacks for some of its key constituents and amid growing strains within the coalition.Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday that 23 political parties had confirmed their participation in the INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitution Club in Delhi.“23 political parties have confirmed participation in the INDIA janbandhan meeting at Constitution Club, New Delhi on Monday June 8, 2026, at 12 noon,” Ramesh said in a post on X.“Like India, the INDIA janbandhan continues to stand united through its diversity,” he added.
TMC backs meeting, Mamata reaches Delhi
The All India Trinamool Congress signalled strong support for the meeting, with party chief Mamata Banerjee leaving for Delhi on Sunday to attend the gathering, as per news agency ANI.TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien responded to Ramesh’s post by saying: “Meeting with a common purpose and clear intent. INDIA united. Many parties look forward to meeting in the spirit of camaraderie.”Mamata Banerjee, party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge are among leaders expected to participate, according to news agency PTI.
Key issues likely on agenda
While the formal agenda of the meeting has not been announced, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said opposition parties remain united in their opposition to certain issues.While acknowledging that some parties would not attend, he stressed that they continued to oppose the BJP-led government.Ramesh accused the Centre of “snatching away the right to vote for millions of Indians”, “assaulting the Constitution daily”, targeting opposition leaders through investigative agencies, hurting livelihoods, fuelling inflation and compromising national interests through its foreign policy.
DMK, AAP likely to skip meeting
The meeting, however, is taking place against the backdrop of visible tensions within the alliance.The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is unlikely to attend after accusing Congress of “betrayal” in Tamil Nadu.The fallout stems from Congress extending support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam after the Assembly elections despite contesting as part of the DMK-led alliance.DMK said its cadres remained deeply hurt by what it described as Congress’ actions following the elections and announced it would boycott the Delhi meeting.The Aam Aadmi Party is also unlikely to participate, according to PTI.
CPI(M)-Congress friction likely to surface
Another key issue hanging over the meeting is the dispute between Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over remarks made during the Kerala Assembly election campaign.CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby has written to Kharge seeking clarification over repeated allegations by Congress leaders that the CPI(M) had an understanding with the BJP in Kerala.The letter argued that such accusations were inconsistent with the spirit of the INDIA bloc and questioned whether repeated calls by Congress leaders for investigations against former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan undermined opposition unity.Despite its objections, CPI(M) has decided to participate in the meeting and will be represented by Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas.Sources cited by PTI said that Brittas is expected to raise the issue during discussions.
BJP attacks opposition unity
The BJP has used the run-up to the meeting to question the cohesion of the opposition alliance.BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed the alliance had “no mission, no vision, only confusion,” while Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi alleged there was “infighting and confusion” among opposition parties.Congress leader Pramod Tiwari, however, dismissed the criticism and urged observers to wait for the outcome of the meeting before drawing conclusions.With 23 parties confirming attendance and several fault lines still visible, Monday’s gathering is expected to test the INDIA bloc’s ability to maintain a united front against the BJP while managing growing differences among its constituent partners.
