Cracks Deepen in INDIA Bloc: DMK and AAP Boycott New Delhi Meeting; CPI(M) Fumes Over Congress ‘Betrayal’
The opposition INDIA bloc is facing a severe crisis as key partners DMK and AAP boycotted a crucial New Delhi meeting. While 23 parties met to discuss 2029 strategies, the absence of major regional leaders highlights deep vulnerabilities within the coalition. Furthermore, the CPI(M) has accused Congress of undermining the anti-BJP alliance’s foundation in a strongly worded letter.
The Tamil Nadu Fallout: Why the DMK Walked Away
The most devastating blow to the meeting’s unity came from Tamil Nadu, where the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) completely boycotted the event. DMK leadership, including senior leader T.K.S. Elangovan, explicitly stated that the decision was taken to honour party cadres who feel deeply “betrayed” by the Congress.
The fallout stems from the aftermath of the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Despite contesting as part of the DMK alliance, Congress broke ties post-polls to join actor Vijay’s TVK government. The DMK strongly slammed this pivot. They stated that Congress has prioritised its new partnership over its long-standing Dravidian ally.
AAP Stays Distant, Rules Out Future Alliances
Simultaneously, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) distanced itself from the high-level meeting. While individual leaders cited localised state-level schedules, AAP chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar laid bare the structural rift by openly ruling out any future political tie-ups with the Congress.
The AAP accused the grand old party of prioritising its narrow, independent political expansion over collective opposition interests, effectively diluting the front needed to challenge the ruling dispensation. This functional separation in Delhi and Punjab further signals that the national-level front is rapidly fracturing into isolated regional factions.
CPI(M) Demands Accountability Over Kerala Feud
Adding fuel to the fire, the CPI(M) has launched an aggressive internal offensive against the Congress leadership. CPI(M) Politburo member M.A. Baby dispatched a stern formal letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemning a “systematic smear campaign” executed during the Kerala elections.
The Left party is furious over public allegations made by top leaders—including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra—who repeatedly claimed during the state campaign that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had struck a secret deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CPI(M) questioned why Congress leaders were publicly demanding Enforcement Directorate (ED) actions against opposition Chief Ministers while simultaneously claiming to fight central agency high-handedness at the national level. The Left warned that such hypocritical state-level campaigns directly destroy the structural credibility of the INDIA alliance.
Conclusion
Congress tried to downplay the rift by claiming the bloc remains united through diversity. However, open rebellion by the DMK, AAP, and CPI(M) indicates otherwise. The collapse of the Congress-DMK alliance reveals that local survival is overtaking national goals. Public infighting between the Left and Congress in Kerala further confirms this shift. As the remaining 23 parties conclude their Delhi talks, the absence of founding pillars exposes a deeply fractured coalition.