%20leader%20Sitaram%20Yech.jpeg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
In a renewed bid to revive opposition unity after recent internal rifts, top leaders of the INDIA bloc met virtually on Saturday evening and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally address the nation on critical security lapses and foreign policy developments — including the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and claims by former US President Donald Trump that America brokered a ceasefire on May 10.
“The most important issue is linked with the prestige and security of 140 crore people. In Pahalgam, terrorists have wiped away the sindoor of our sisters, but we don’t know where they have disappeared. There is a major intelligence failure,” Congress Rajya Sabha deputy leader Pramod Tiwari told reporters after the meeting.
The opposition alliance also raised serious concerns over the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — which began in Bihar but is expected to expand nationwide. Calling the move “votebandi,” Tiwari alleged targeted deletions from voter rolls and warned: “This is the first time there is a threat to the voting rights of the people.” A proposal by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav to hold a mass rally against the voter list revision exercise was unanimously accepted.
The meeting comes a day after the Aam Aadmi Party’s abrupt exit from the alliance cast a shadow over the bloc’s cohesion. Notably absent from Saturday’s meeting were West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. Tiwari, however, announced that a physical meeting of INDIA bloc leaders would follow soon.
Tensions within the alliance also surfaced when CPI leader D Raja criticised recent remarks by Rahul Gandhi. Without naming Gandhi, Raja said, “We should have frequent meetings of the INDIA bloc. Else, leaders are attacking each other. INDIA bloc leaders are comparing political parties with RSS and BJP. There should be some courtesy. We are all fighting against the RSS and the BJP.”
The opposition leaders said they would mount pressure on the government in Parliament over security and foreign policy issues. Apart from the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, leaders highlighted India-China relations and the situation in Gaza. Former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that Washington facilitated the May 10 ceasefire in the region triggered concern. “President Trump has said 24 times that the US intervened for a ceasefire. The PM must reply on these issues,” Tiwari asserted. SP’s Ramgopal Yadav warned against foreign interference in India’s strategic affairs.
CPI(M) leader MA Baby, participating in his first INDIA bloc meeting, backed the foreign policy concerns but urged leaders not to lose sight of everyday struggles. “We must raise issues important to the people — unemployment, price rise, the distress of farmers, and the attacks on women and Adivasis during anti-Maoist operations,” he said.
Despite internal differences and recent setbacks, the INDIA bloc is seeking to regroup and launch a renewed offensive against the government ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament.
