INDIA bloc fissures widen; can it fight the Lok Sabha elections together as an entity?

The INDIA bloc, considered a strong alliance to take on the BJP when it took shape, is now bogged down by serious internal problems. Cracks within are widening each passing day, with the Congress acting like the big boss and regional parties digging their heels in. To divert attention, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is going all out against the Modi Government, pointing out its failures. While the Government tries to play down his remarks, Kharge insists that it is using emotive subjects to distract citizens. The biggest problem for the INDIA bloc is the growing disagreement among its constituents. Varied political beliefs, interests and the desire to secure their own interests are causing these gaps to widen. Lately, there have been public fights on important policies, showing how fragile the alliance is. Even if the Congress chief is right about the Government using emotive issues (like the Ram temple) to shift focus from its failures, it won't be enough to keep the bloc together. Kharge says the ruling party is using sensitive topics to divert attention from serious issues like economic problems, unemployment and governance failures. While the INDIA bloc is together on these issues, the major problem causing divisions is finalising seat distribution and the formula for it in the upcoming general elections. Regional leaders are firm about pocketing more seats and not sharing their strongholds with national parties like the Congress. For the INDIA bloc to stay intact, three main issues need solving pronto: seat sharing, choosing a PM candidate, and agreeing on a common minimum programme.

Leaders also need to stop airing their grievances publicly without consulting others. It does not help when the TMC offers two seats to Congress, and AAP insists on fighting all 13 seats in Punjab. Also, naming Kharge as the PM candidate doesn't make sense until his party leaders agree. The common minimum programme is the least controversial, so that is where they should start, taking it step by step to form a united front against the NDA. Besides, they must also not forget why they formed the INDIA bloc in the first place. It was to dislodge the BJP from power as the ruling party is supposedly sending their leaders to jail, and intimidating them with ED and CBI raids. Ostensibly the whole Opposition came together as these parties were not given a fair chance in Parliament and several Opposition leaders were suspended on one pretext or the other. The INDIA bloc parties must realise they stand no chance against the BJP-led NDA if they fight separately. A divided vote will benefit only the BJP,  considering PM Narendra Modi's charisma, as was evident in the recent Assembly elections. The choice is clear for them: fight together or face defeat. As the INDIA bloc deals with internal issues, finding a way forward means committing to open dialogue and compromise; otherwise, the election result is pretty much decided even before the polls are officially announced. Ego has no place in the scheme of things.