The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Congress following senior leader P. Chidambaram’s remarks expressing uncertainty over the stability of the I.N.D.I.A. alliance. Chidambaram, speaking at the launch of Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav’s book Contesting Democratic Deficit, voiced concerns about the opposition bloc, stating that he was “not sure if the alliance is still intact” and that it appeared “frayed at the seams”.
Reacting to his statement, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to social media, claiming that even Congress leaders acknowledge the party’s bleak future. “Congress Leader P. Chidambaram predicts: ‘Opposition will not be intact in future, BJP is a formidable organisation.’ Even Rahul Gandhi’s close aides know Congress has no future,” Bhandari posted on X.
Chidambaram’s remarks have intensified political debates ahead of upcoming elections, with BJP leaders using them to highlight internal divisions within the opposition alliance. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc, formed to counter the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has faced challenges in maintaining unity among its member parties.
Despite his concerns, Chidambaram expressed hope that the alliance could still be strengthened, stating, “If the alliance is totally intact, I will be very happy. But it shows at the seams that it is frayed. There’s still time to put it together”. He also warned that the opposition was up against a “formidable machinery” and must fight on all fronts to remain relevant in the political landscape.
The BJP has seized upon Chidambaram’s remarks as evidence of Congress’s declining influence, further fueling speculation about the future of the opposition coalition. As political tensions rise, all eyes remain on how the I.N.D.I.A. alliance navigates its internal challenges in the lead-up to the next general elections.
