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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.

Govt lost moral authority: Gehlot on Trump's Indo-Pak mediation claims

  • PTI
  • May 13, 2025
  • 2 min read


New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday claimed the government has lost moral authority in the wake of US President Donald Trump announcing a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan in the midst of hostilities and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify the issue.


At a press conference at the party headquarters here, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said people across the country feel that the Indian armed forces were going strong and could have given a befitting lesson to Pakistan to ensure it did not harbour terrorists or their camps in future.


He claimed the BJP has been rattled by the public sentiment over the sudden halt in military action and hence announced country-wide 'Tiranga Yatras' to placate the public. But people have now realised their "true colours", the veteran Congress leader said.


Gehlot also described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Monday evening as "disappointing" and said he failed to clarify Trump's mediation claims. He also asked whether the government was under "any pressure" from the United States.


The Congress leader posed several questions to the prime minister on why he was not responding to claims of the US president.


Looking to corner Modi further, Gehlot sought his clarification on whether India has accepted a third-party mediation on Kashmir and claimed that the US has internationalised the issue.


Gehlot also reiterated the Congress' demand for a special session of Parliament to discuss the issue and a PM-chaired all-party meeting.


"The manner in which the ceasefire was announced, this government has lost the moral authority and moral courage to rule," Gehlot told reporters, adding that people feel this was an opportunity for the government to teach Pakistan a lesson.


"This was a golden opportunity for himself, the government and the country but it has been lost by the sudden announcement of a ceasefire," he added.


Gehlot said the opposition has been demanding a Parliament session where the government can spell out its thoughts and policy in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. "What pressure is the government under that the US intervened and claimed mediation," he posed.


The senior leader said the Army was performing well and could have taught Pakistan a lesson in never dreaming of indulging in terrorism again.


Further action by the armed forces would have deterred Pakistan from allowing terror camps in its territory, Gehlot said.


He said Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation on Monday, "but he disappointed". The country is not unable to grasp the "sudden ceasefire" because it was completely confidential, he asked.


Noting that the armed forces did a great job by targeting terrorist hideouts and its action was praised around the world and the country salutes them.


Gehlot also recalled the 1971 war, saying America had exerted pressure on India at that time too.


"But we never bowed down and divided Pakistan into two. Even during the Shimla Agreement, we did not let any other country come between us.


"But now, the way Donald Trump is intervening, Prime Minister Modi and the government should respond to it. Why is the government not giving clarification on Trump's statements? What contract has Donald Trump taken?" he posed.

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