New Delhi: Even as the results of the vice-presidential election are behind them, the INDIA bloc is confronting lingering doubts and internal fractures that could define its future trajectory.
The vice-presidential poll may not have directly altered the political landscape, but the cross-voting that took place has sent shockwaves through the opposition alliance. What began as a unified campaign—largely orchestrated by the Congress and centred around the unanimous nomination of Justice B Sudershan Reddy—now appears to have exposed deeper fault lines.
While Parliament’s recent monsoon session saw the INDIA bloc briefly united, especially over the SIR electoral roll revision, this solidarity failed to translate into seamless coordination during the election. Only one formal meeting was convened to plan the campaign, which even Rahul Gandhi missed. Apart from a few key regional parties such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), other members seemed disjointed and lacked synchronized floor management.
The episode reached a tipping point when around 15 MPs reportedly cross-voted in favour of the NDA’s candidate. This not only embarrassed the bloc but also raised serious questions about its ability to coordinate and retain trust among its members.
The NDA, by contrast, displayed cohesion and preparedness. Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, it conducted a two-day strategy workshop and organized briefing sessions on polling day to reinforce unity among its MPs. Their collective arrival at Parliament was a carefully crafted show of strength.
For the INDIA bloc, the incident is likely to deepen internal mistrust. The TMC, which has often questioned Congress’s electoral competence, may see this as further proof of the alliance’s fragility. Similarly, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), grappling with high-stakes elections in Bihar, may be concerned about the bloc’s credibility and appeal.
At the heart of the issue lies a larger question: Is the INDIA bloc truly prepared to challenge the BJP-led NDA in the long run? The vice-presidential election suggests otherwise.
As political observers watch developments closely, the INDIA bloc faces a crossroads—either it strengthens its coordination and discipline or risks further erosion ahead of future electoral battles.
