The strongest regional parties came up with a big decision on January 25. One after the other, two parties, TMC and AAP, announced their withdrawal from the I.N.D.I.A. Bloc.
The Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) is a political alliance formed on July 18, 2023. 28 political parties in India came together to form this alliance with the main aim of defeating the NDA government led by the BJP in the 2024 general elections. This political alliance is led by the INC (Indian National Congress), and their ideology revolves around principles like inclusiveness, social justice, and development. So far, five meetings have been held by the alliance to discuss matters like unity, seat sharing, and others in different states in India.
The big decision of TMC (Trinamool Congress) to come out of the I.N.D.I.A. Bloc geared attention yesterday after CM of West Bengal Mamatha Banerjee announced it. Didi stated that West Bengal would go alone in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and said that Congress can contest 300 seats and leave the rest to the regional parties. This decision came after unjustified demands from the bloc and delays in seat-sharing talks. Being a part of the bloc, she said that she was not informed about the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, where Rahul Gandhi comes to West Bengal. Rahul Gandhi responded to this in a press conference and said that Mamathaji is a big leader and an important pillar of the bloc. The talks are ongoing, and all parties will cooperate to defeat the BJP.
The second startle to bloc came after AAP (Aam Admi Party) wanted to withdraw from the political alliance I.N.D.I.A. While talking to the media in Chandigarh, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that they would not go along with the alliance, and this decision of Punjab switching from the alliance was accepted by Party Leader Aravind Kejriwal. This is because of issues with seat sharing in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mann said that they will win all 13 seats in Punjab in the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The Punjab Congress objected, saying that there are many corruption cases registered by Mann against Congress leaders. Mallikarjun Kharge, congress president, said that all the concerns were taken into consideration and we will work on them
BJP Comments:
After seeing the split in the bloc, the BJP commented that the alliance is one of confusion and corruption. It is also said that conflicts are seen everywhere now and then. They didn't decide their flag, agenda, or any policy till now, even after the completion of five meetings. A BJP spokesperson urged that people elect the one who has a mission but not confusion.