hAs India approaches another electoral milestone, the once-promising INDIA Bloc, formed to counter the BJP’s political dominance, appears to be unravelling. What began as a strategic coalition of opposition parties during the 2024 general elections has now devolved into a fragmented grouping, riddled with internal contradictions and clashing ambitions. The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections could potentially be a pivotal moment for this coalition, posing existential questions about its future.

The INDIA Bloc, which initially brought together diverse political entities under a shared banner, now finds itself split into two distinct factions. On one side is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, and on the other is the Congress, a former ally in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This division has come to the forefront as the two factions face off in the Delhi elections, their direct contest underscoring the fragile nature of the alliance.

The AAP has garnered support from prominent regional players such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Samajwadi Party, and Sharad Pawar's NCP faction, resulting in the Congress facing increasing isolation. The growing fissures were starkly highlighted when Rahul Gandhi openly criticised Kejriwal, equating him with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a sharp departure from the Congress's earlier reluctance to target AAP directly. This public confrontation reflects the growing mistrust and hostility within the opposition ranks, eroding the Bloc's cohesion.

Delhi is not the only place where the INDIA Bloc is fracturing. Across the country, regional parties have grown disillusioned with the........

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