NEW DELHI: The Delhi poll results are likely to reignite the debate within the opposition INDIA bloc of parties over its leadership, with Congress, the largest party and the hence the de facto leader in the bloc having played a perfect spoiler in AAP’s defeat to the BJP, which returned to office in Delhi after 27 long years.
While parties like SP, RJD and Shiv Sena (UBT) had backed Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Mamata Banerjee to lead the bloc, DMK and NCP(SP) have not come out in support of the idea, so far.
Delhi Election Results 2025
The rumblings on this line had surfaced after the Congress’s defeat in Haryana and in Maharashtra where it was in alliance with NCP (SP) and Sena (UBT). The Left parties, strongly opponents of the ruling TMC in Bengal, are unlikely to accept Banerjee’s leadership in the bloc.
Whether the leadership comes at this juncture in the INDIA bloc right now or not Congress will certainly face the heat, from the INDIA allies as many accuse it of failing to take along all partners and conduct the opposition camp in a focussed direction. TMC, has been among the first ones to highlight this issue openly, since the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
With the Budget session of Parliament in session, it is to be seen whether the disruption within the INDIA bloc spills out in the House, since a joint strategy on the floor of the House has been more or less effective against the Narendra Modi-led government.
Whether the defeat compels AAP to remain with the INDIA bloc or pushes it out for not getting along with Congress is also to be seen. INDIA bloc parties like SP and TMC though not having stakes in Delhi, had thrown their weight behind AAP on the grounds that it was in the best position to take on BJP.
Expressing his concern over AAP’s loss, CPI general secretary D Raja said in a post on ‘X’: “BJP’s victory… serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disunity among secular-democratic forces. This result clearly highlights that the RSS-BJP’s divisive agenda can only be effectively countered through a united, ideological and political front.” Raja added, “It is a wake-up call for the constituents of the INDIA bloc, particularly Congress—the largest party in the coalition—and other dominant regional parties.”
Expressing strong disappointment, CPM and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) said the differences in the INDIA bloc paved the way for the saffron party’s good show in the national capital. The Marxist party vehemently attacked Congress and accused them of facilitating the victory of the BJP in Delhi.
