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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Congress-Left Rift Exposes Power Games

New Delhi: Cracks widen in I.N.D.I.A. alliance as Congress and Left clash in Kerala/West Bengal polls, prioritizing state power over ideology. History of flip-flops fuels accusations of cynical opportunism, eroding public trust amid national unity facade.   Ahead of the Kerala and West Bengal assembly elections, cracks have emerged between the Congress and Left parties, with both gearing up to clash head-on in the electoral arena. The echoes of this rift reverberated in a recent meeting of...

Congress-Left Rift Exposes Power Games

New Delhi: Cracks widen in I.N.D.I.A. alliance as Congress and Left clash in Kerala/West Bengal polls, prioritizing state power over ideology. History of flip-flops fuels accusations of cynical opportunism, eroding public trust amid national unity facade.   Ahead of the Kerala and West Bengal assembly elections, cracks have emerged between the Congress and Left parties, with both gearing up to clash head-on in the electoral arena. The echoes of this rift reverberated in a recent meeting of the I.N.D.I.A. alliance's parliamentary parties. The Marxist Communist Party (CPI(M)) openly targeted Congress's biggest leader, Leader of opposition in Parliament Rahul Gandhi, exposing deep tensions. Whether it's the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A. alliance or the earlier United Progressive Alliance (UPA), history shows Congress has always fought elections against CPI(M) in Kerala and West Bengal assembly polls. What kind of political ideology is this, where parties unite for Lok Sabha elections but turn adversaries in state assembly contests?   This naturally begs the question that in this game of alliances, are Congress, the Left, and other I.N.D.I.A. bloc constituents indulging in opportunistic politics driven by a thirst for power? Are they playing tricks on the public just to grab the throne? If their alliances were rooted in ideology, they would stick together from Lok Sabha to assembly elections, united by principle.   Flash point The flashpoint came during an I.N.D.I.A. bloc parliamentary meeting in Kerala, originally called to strategize for the Parliament session and forge a united opposition front against the central government. But the discussion swiftly pivoted to escalating differences between Congress and the Left. CPI(M) MPs took strong exception to Rahul Gandhi's recent statement during a Kerala visit, where he accused central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of targeting opposition leaders but sparing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.   In West Bengal, a senior Congress leader revealed the central leadership's calculus that with little to lose, going solo is the smarter play. Post-alliance breakup with the Left, focus shifts to bolstering vote share, not seat-sharing math. TMC and BJP are expected to dominate anyway. After days of silence, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby accused Congress of drifting from a broad anti-communal unity, insisting his party favors collaboration with like-minded forces but slamming Congress's stance as isolationist.   The analysis Political analysts warn this split could fragment opposition votes, benefiting TMC. Yet they don't rule out informal grassroots understandings between left and congress. In both states, ditching the alliance lets Congress and the Left campaign comfortably, dodging awkward questions from voters. In Kerala, the Left has held power for two straight terms since 2021, breaking a decades-old pattern of alternating every five years between Left and Congress. Riding an anti-incumbency wave, Congress and Rahul Gandhi now eye a comeback, launching direct attacks on CPI(M). This has irked the Left, whose survival hinges solely on Kerala.   If we look at the political background, the I.N.D.I.A. alliance was formed mainly to create a united strategy against the BJP-led NDA. In several states, opposition parties are trying to contest elections together. Electoral processes, unemployment, inflation, and concerns over constitutional institutions are part of the opposition's shared agenda.   Watching this alliance charade ahead of Lok Sabha and assembly polls, the public is baffled that What's the real basis of these tie-ups? Do parties form and break them for keeping in mind the interests of leaders and parties, or based on ideology? Do they consider the welfare of the people and the nation's interests in doing so? Is coalition politics just opportunism masquerading as strategy? Voters deserve answers-will I.N.D.I.A.'s flip-flops erode trust, or can they justify this as pragmatic realism? Until then, the stench of power hunger lingers.

Cabinet sub-committee for funds allocation

Mumbai: After the formation of 'Maha InvIT', a trust to attract investment in the mega infrastructure projects, a cabinet sub-committee has been formed to ensure hassle-free funds allocation to MLAs and thereby keep the power equations within Mahayuti balanced.


The cabinet sub-committee is expected to decide upon funds to be allocated to MLAs for carrying out works in their respective constituencies like the repairing of roads, street lighting and gardens on public places.


Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will be heading the committee, with industries minister Uday Samant, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, rural development and water supply minister Jaukumar Gore, school education minister Dadaji Bhuse and sports and youth welfare minister Sanjay Bansod

are the members of the committee.


During MVA tenure the Shiv Sena MLAs were particularly upset with Ajit Pawar because they were never allocated enough funds even as their counterparts in NCP always got whatever they needed. The condition was better even when the NCP joined Mahayuti three years ago as Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde was heading the government back then. However, after the change of guards last December the Shiv Sena camp had been in utter disease. The sub-committee is formed in order to do away with the disease, said a senior official.


According to him, the decision means equanimous distribution of power. This decision would do away with any apprehensions anybody in power might have while assuring them justice in crucial issues like funds allocation for local works.


Curtailing powers

The decision to form Maha InvIT was being seen as infringement into the rights of the ministers handling departments like the PWD, MSRDC and urban development. It was being interpreted that the decision would adversely affect prospects of DCM Eknath Shinde. However, officials from his office perceive this as yet another opportunity to build conduits to take the benefits of power to loyal party workers.


New trust or an organization like this would mean appointment of more men to run it. When one is working as a government department there are several reatrictions to that need to be tackled. However, whenever the same work is allocated to a state owned corporation or an SPV or any similar body, the parameters change and those in charge of it get more powers to spend funds at their will. Hence, formation of Maha InvIT means a favour to Shinde, the officer explained.


However, a senior official said that decision would mean stricter financial management and would in turn mean less opportunity for corruption or in other words spend money at will. Financial discipline will have to be maintained if one has to attract more and bigger investors, the officer said stating that the decision to form Maha InvIT will mean better discipline.


"The CM did not leave any opportunity to show how he and his departments performed well. This report card brings the ‘cold war’ among the three ruling parties to the forefront, and also indicates that Fadnavis holds the upper hand."

Harshwardhan Sapkal, Chief, Maharashtra Congress

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