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"Rahul's Image Damaged, Political Immaturity Exposed", Congress ... Home News “Rahul’s Image Damaged, Political Immaturity Exposed”, Congress Functionaries Reportedly Fuming Over DMK... News State Tamil Nadu Fresh signs of internal dissent have reportedly emerged within the Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress following the confirmation of the party’s alliance with the DMK ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. According to discussions within party circles, the decision has triggered dissatisfaction among a section of Congress functionaries who had favoured an electoral understanding with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Sources within the party indicated that several Congress leaders aligned with the pro-TVK camp had conveyed their concerns to AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar, stating that the development had negatively impacted the political image of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Senior Congress leaders were reported as saying that a section of the Tamil Nadu Congress leadership had preferred an alliance with TVK, which had indicated that it would offer Congress a share in governance if the parties contested together. According to the accounts…

INDIA bloc rift: DMK, CPI-M slam Congress for 'backstabbing' and ... Tensions deepen within the INDIA bloc as the DMK and CPI-M criticise Congress, accusing it of “backstabbing” and poor coordination. DMK has boycotted the alliance meeting, while CPI-M questioned Congress’s leadership amid rising differences over strategy and seat-sharing. New Delhi:The DMK and CPI-M on Sunday came down heavily on the Congress, accusing the party of “backstabbing” and “abusing” its partners in the INDIA bloc, and also charged its leaders with not taking everyone along in the Opposition alliance. The reaction came amid rifts between the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies, the DMK, the CPI-M and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). While the DMK has conveyed its decision not to participate in the Opposition alliance’s meeting on June 8, following the Congress pulling out of their alliance post the Tamil Nadu elections, the Left party has asked it to “clear the air” regarding its “deal with the BJP’ remarks during the Kerala poll campaign. Meanwhile, differences within Jharkhand’s ruling alliance have come to the fore over the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, with the JMM and the Congress at odds over…

Why Congress-DMK split threatens INDIA bloc's existence May 09, 2026 00:45 IST The INDIA bloc is facing a significant crisis as the Congress party ends its alliance with the DMK, raising concerns about the stability and future of the opposition coalition. The INDIA bloc may have been formally launched on a sweltering Patna afternoon in June 2023, but its political origins can be traced back to Chennai where, three months before its official unveiling, the idea first took shape with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M K Stalin pitching for a united Opposition front led by the Congress. In a striking twist of political irony, three years on, it is the DMK that appears to have authored the most compelling epitaph for the INDIA bloc, an alliance that has weathered repeated existential crises since its inception but now finds itself facing perhaps its most serious rupture yet. Speaking at an event in Chennai on March 1, 2023, to mark his 70th birthday, Stalin, in the presence of several heavyweight Opposition leaders, had appealed to parties to "strengthen the hands of Rahul Gandhi". "Political parties should rise above differences and stand together as a unified force to defeat the…

Ahead of INDIA bloc meet, CPI(M) seeks Cong's clarification over BJP ... New Delhi | Ahead of a key meeting of INDIA bloc constituents on Monday, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby has sought clarification from the Congress on claims by some of its leaders during the Kerala assembly election campaign that the Left party had an understanding with the BJP. According to sources, Baby wrote a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, heavily criticizing the Congress for its attacks on the CPI(M). Copies of the letter were also sent to other INDIA bloc partners. An opposition leader who received the letter said Baby argued that the accusations, repeatedly made by senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Kharge himself, went beyond routine electoral rhetoric and struck at the basis of the opposition alliance formed to jointly take on the BJP. Referring to the Congress campaign in Kerala, the CPI(M) leader accused the Congress of running a "systematic campaign" alleging that the Left and the BJP had reached a political arrangement and that the then chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan enjoyed a special understanding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Such c…

What happened at the INDIA bloc meeting? Pushback against ... Report Allies conveyed their unhappiness over DMK no longer being part of the bloc, and insisted that the Congress should act like a glue and not be competitive. The meeting of the INDIA bloc in New Delhi, on Monday, June 8, saw criticism of the Congress from several regional parties, introspection on the alliance’s functioning, and a decision to form a coordination committee and meet once every two months. The meeting was attended by 23 parties but was boycotted by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had made it clear that it could no longer remain part of the INDIA bloc after the Congress walked out of the alliance in Tamil Nadu. According to sources, the DMK’s absence was raised during the meeting by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav. Akhilesh, Tejashwi, Left parties and others reminded the Congress that it must act as the “glue” holding the alliance together and avoid being competitive with regional allies. Even before the meeting began, there was visible frustration with the Congress from several INDIA bloc allies, particularly leaders from the Le…

'Look within': INDIA bloc ally hits back as Congress cries 'dhoka' after RS setback CPI(ML) Liberation has denied allegations of cross-voting in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election, stating both its MLAs voted for the Congress candidate as decided. The party criticized the Congress for failing to secure its own legislators' support and warned that blaming allies could harm the INDIA bloc.

Pala seat row: Congress watches closely as internal rift emerges in ... News Desk Last Updated: 17 Mar 2026, 05:44 pm IST Share The differing opinions expressed by Roshy Augustine and Jose K Mani regarding the Pala assembly seat were unusual, and Congress is calculating that a section within the Mani group may be aligned with the UDF. Jose K Mani, Roshy Augustine | Photo: Mathrubhumi Kottayam: Although the Kerala Congress (M) has clarified that it will not leave LDF, the Congress is closely observing developments within the Jose K Mani-led party ahead of the crucial assembly elections in the state. The differing opinions expressed by Roshy Augustine and Jose K Mani regarding the Pala assembly seat were unusual, and Congress is calculating that a section within the Mani group may be aligned with the UDF. Also read | Rahul Gandhi to spearhead UDF campaign in Kerala Assembly elections, says Chennithala Meanwhile, the UDF seat discussions are set to continue after Opposition Leader VD Satheesan completes his Puthuyuga Yatra. Some in Congress believe there could be a “surprise” from a section of the Mani group shifting to the UDF. They expect that two MLAs might come under that fold. O…

Cracks widen in INDIA bloc before meet as CPI(M), JMM call out ... Days after the DMK announced that it will skip a Congress-convened meeting of the INDIA bloc scheduled for June 8, fresh rifts have surfaced in the Opposition alliance, with the CPI(M) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) conveying their displeasure to the Congress leadership over its style of functioning. While the JMM is upset with the Congress for “unilaterally” announcing a candidate for one of the twoRajya Sabhaseats bound for elections from Jharkhand, the CPI(M) has conveyed its strong displeasure over attacks on former Kerala chief ministerPinarayi Vijayanby Congress leaders, including Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, during their campaigns in the recently concluded Assembly elections. CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby has written a strongly-worded letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to flag the issue. And in an unusual move, the CPI(M) has forwarded the letter to all the constituents of the bloc. “We have seen the letter. Although it is between the Congress and the CPI(M), we can only urge the Congress as the leader of the INDIA bloc to take everyone along to ensur…

Ahead of INDIA bloc meeting, CPI(M) asks Congress to clarify on Kerala campaign allegations Warning that the issue had implications for Opposition unity, CPI-M’s M.A. Baby says the Congress leadership must ‘clear the air’ on what he termed ‘disruptive moves’ before the June 8 INDIA bloc meeting

'Dishonest, immature': DMK hits out at Congress, Rahul as INDIA bloc ... As the rift in the INDIA bloc widens, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday hit out at Congress and Lok Sabha Leader of the OppositionRahul Gandhi, accusing him of "weakening" the opposition alliance. The attack from DMK follows its rift with the Congress in the aftermath of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, when the INC announced an alliance with Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In its official mouthpiece,'Murasoli',the regional party alleged that while the Congress seeks the support of its allies during national parliamentary elections, it often works to undermine them during state-level assembly polls. "In state after state where assembly elections are held, Congress has done everything possible to prevent fellow INDIA bloc partners from coming to power. Yet, when parliamentary elections arrive, it seeks their support in the name of fighting the BJP," the mouthpiece said. Despite skipping the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on June 8 over theCongress's "betrayal,'the DMK alleged that several leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with the Congress relationships, adding that Gandhi "did no…

CPM asks Congress to stop being ‘facilitator for ED, Modi govt’ Ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting, Baby in a sharply worded letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had pointed to allegations by Rahul Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders during the Kerala polls of CPI(M) and the BJP colluding and calls for ED action against then CM Pinarayi Vijayan. The Left party had asked the Congress to “clear the air regarding such disruptive moves” with CPI(M)’s Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas strongly raising the matter at the INDIA meeting.

INDIA bloc under strain: Congress claim, DMK rift & Opposition split ... R ahul Gandhi's recent video message on X, in which he asserted that "only the Congress can defeat the BJP and Narendra Modi," has landed at a politically sensitive moment. Advertisement It comes amid shifting alliances in Tamil Nadu, post-election turbulence in West Bengal, and growing unease among INDIA bloc partners about coordination and trust. Taken together, these developments raise a broader question: is the INDIA bloc fragmenting, or simply entering a phase of realignment? A bloc formed to defeat the BJP - but struggling after 2024 The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA bloc) was formed in 2023 as a broad coalition of opposition parties united primarily by one objective: defeating the BJP in the 2024 general election. While the alliance did not achieve that goal, it did succeed in reducing the BJP's parliamentary strength and establishing itself as the principal opposition framework. However, since the 2024 elections, internal cohesion has weakened. The latest assembly election cycle has exposed tensions that were already present beneath the surface. Tamil Nadu: the most visible r…

Cracks in INDIA bloc? CPI(M) questions Rahul, 'if he can hug PM Modi ... Differences within the opposition INDIA bloc have once again come into the spotlight after CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby publicly questioned the Congress leadership over its approach towards the Left party in Kerala. Speaking about the issue, Baby expressed disappointment over comments made by Congress leaders during election campaigns in Kerala. He said several Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, repeatedly accused the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) of having a secret understanding with the BJP. Baby also referred to Rahul Gandhi's past statement that political differences prevented him from embracing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He questioned this argument, pointing out that Rahul Gandhi had publicly hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament despite being political opponents. According to Baby, if such gestures are possible across party lines, political disagreements should not be used as a reason to maintain distance from leaders who are part of the broader opposition camp. The CPI(M) leader also objected to Congress leaders demanding the arrest…

INDIA bloc parties to continue protest against SIR; to hold march to EC ... ANI INDIA bloc parties to continue protest against SIR ( File photo) INDIA bloc parties will continue their protests inside and outside Parliament on the SIR issue, and are also discussing the option to hold a march to the Election Commission headquarters next week, sources said. The issue was discussed in a meeting of the INDIA bloc on Thursday morning. According to the sources, the opposition parties agreed that the issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is the priority for them in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, and also demanded a discussion. They also said INDIA bloc leaders are planning to hold a march to the Election Commission's office in the coming week. A senior opposition leader said it was one of the best meetings of the INDIA bloc, where all parties were on the same page. Live Events Another opposition leader said that the MPs discussed holding campaigns to make people aware of the issue, by using terms like "votebandi", "vote-chori" (vote-theft), and "vote ki loot" for the exercise, which seeks people to submit documents "establishing their citizenshi…

Rift in LDF intensifies as Kerala CM's talks with CPI over PM SHRI MoU ... ALAPPUZHA: A meeting convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam and CPI cabinet ministers failed to reach a consensus on the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Centre’s PM SHRI project. After the meeting, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the concerns raised by the party remained unresolved. “The issues raised by the CPI have not yet been addressed. The party will discuss the matter with state and central leaders, and a final decision will be announced in the coming days,” Viswam told reporters after the meeting with the chief minister at the Alappuzha Guest House on Monday. Sources said the CPI has decided that its four ministers will abstain from the next cabinet meeting in protest against the government’s move to sign the MoU for the PM SHRI project, a Central government initiative. The CPI state council meeting, scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on November 4, will decide the party’s future course of action. The CPI’s decision has triggered a fresh crisis within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which is preparing for the…

Kerala’s Ruling LDF Faces Deep Rift As CPI Demands Withdrawal Of PM-SHRI Scheme Agreement Thiruvananthapuram: Even as the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) gears up to campaign for what the CPI(M) calls the 'Third Pinarayi Government', the alliance is reeling under its most serious "internal crisis" over the State's decision to sign the Centre's PM-SHRI scheme. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has toughened its stand, insisting that "policy cannot be changed for the sake of funds", and demanding that the agreement be withdrawn. "A political decision has to be made that this PM-SHRI cannot go forward and has to be withdrawn," senior CPI leader Prakash Babu said on Saturday. Echoing the sentiment, State Minister for Animal Husbandry J. Chinchurani said the issue had come up in the Cabinet and was opposed then. Read Also RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav Accuses NDA Of Lying Over Special Trains For Chhath, Calls Claims... "We had made it clear that this cannot take place. Then how come it was signed?" she asked, underscoring the "growing disquiet" among CPI ministers. The CPI has accused the CPI-M of keeping allies in the dark, terming the move a "violation of front discipline". Its m…

Ahead of INDIA bloc meet, CPI(M) asks Congress to explain BJP 'deal ... NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Opposition'sINDIA bloc meeting, the rumblings in the alliance deepened as CPI (M) shot off a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday, strongly criticising the conduct of the party, the largest in the bloc. It comes a day after another main constituent,DMK, announced that it will boycott the India bloc meeting to be held in New Delhi on June 8 since the Congress party will be participating in it. The Dravidian major said it will not participate in the meeting to respect the sentiments of its cadres who were deeply hurt by the betrayal of the Congress party. In his letter to Kharge, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby has sought clarification from the Congress on claims made by some of its leaders during the Kerala Assembly election campaign that the Left party had an understanding with the BJP. "I have been informed by KC Venugopal about the meeting of the INDIA bloc parties to be held on June 8, 2026. In this connection I would like to cite a recent political development during the assembly elections. There was a systematic campaign by the Congress leadership during …

INDIA bloc under strain: Congress claim, DMK rift & Opposition split ... News Desk Last Updated: 09 May 2026, 06:05 PM IST Share A meeting of the INDIA bloc leaders (File photo: PTI) Rahul Gandhi’s recent video message on X, in which he asserted that “only the Congress can defeat the BJP and Narendra Modi,” has landed at a politically sensitive moment. It comes amid shifting alliances in Tamil Nadu, post-election turbulence in West Bengal, and growing unease among INDIA bloc partners about coordination and trust. Taken together, these developments raise a broader question: is the INDIA bloc fragmenting, or simply entering a phase of realignment? A bloc formed to defeat the BJP — but struggling after 2024 The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA bloc) was formed in 2023 as a broad coalition of opposition parties united primarily by one objective: defeating the BJP in the 2024 general election. While the alliance did not achieve that goal, it did succeed in reducing the BJP’s parliamentary strength and establishing itself as the principal opposition framework. However, since the 2024 elections, internal cohesion has weakened. The latest assembly election cycle has…

CPI(M) Seeks Congress Clarification on 'Struck Deal with BJP' Charge ... Ahead of the first big meeting of the INDIA bloc in New Delhi today after recently concluded Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory (UT), the Opposition's unity is in question as the Communist Party of India (M) has also conveyed its concern to Congress over the "systematic campaign" against its leadership during the Keralam assembly polls. Though the party has decided that John Brittas, MP, will attend the New Delhi meet. CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby has written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge seeking clarification over allegations made by Congress leaders during the Keralam Assembly elections against the party and its leadership. Breaking It Down What are the key issues to be discussed in the INDIA bloc meeting? Why is DMK boycotting the INDIA bloc meeting? What challenges does the INDIA bloc face after recent election results? Created with AI. Errors are possible CPIM Seeks Clarification From Congress In the letter, MA Baby said he had been informed by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal about the INDIA bloc meeting and raised concerns over what he described as a "system…