INDIA bloc holds first major revival meeting in months; Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee attend

The opposition INDIA bloc held a national-level meeting at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, its first major formal coordination exercise in many months.

The agenda of the gathering was to reassert unity within the coalition and charting a common strategy against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), even as underlying tensions among constituents remained visible.

The meeting brought together leaders from across the opposition spectrum, including senior Congress figures and regional allies, in an attempt to project cohesion ahead of upcoming electoral battles.

‘Meeting will bring us together,’ says Congress leader

Speaking during the ongoing discussions, Congress MLA and former Karnataka minister HK Patil expressed optimism about the outcome of the deliberations.

“This meeting will bring all of us together again,” he said, framing the gathering as a step toward renewed coordination within the alliance.

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In a parallel development on the sidelines of the meeting, Youth Congress workers removed posters in Delhi that were reportedly critical of Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

23 parties in attendance

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that representatives from 23 political parties participated in the discussions, describing the gathering as a meeting of the “INDIA Janbandhan.”

Among the prominent leaders present were Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alongside Rahul Gandhi.

The presence of key opposition figures signalled an attempt to revive momentum within the alliance after months of perceived drift.

High-profile absences highlight fault lines

Despite the show of unity, the meeting was overshadowed by notable absences and unresolved tensions among key regional parties.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) stayed away from the meeting, citing serious disagreements with the Congress over alliance decisions in Tamil Nadu. The party has expressed anger over Congress distancing itself from its traditional partnership and engaging with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alignment, leading to sharp political friction.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also did not participate in the session, even as backchannel discussions among opposition leaders continue on the future shape of the alliance ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Left parties raise concerns over Congress strategy

While the Left Front attended the meeting, its leaders reportedly raised objections over Congress’ electoral approach in Kerala. CPI(M) leader John Brittas is understood to have questioned allegations of tacit understandings between the Left and the BJP, seeking clarity from the Congress leadership.

According to sources, the meeting was convened with strong backing from the Trinamool Congress, amid internal churn in West Bengal following recent electoral setbacks and organisational instability.

The discussions broadly focused on three key areas: