Delhi, Sept 18: In the realm of the politics of India, coalition governments have emerged as a common phenomenon, with opposition parties uniting to form governments. However, history has shown that such coalitions often face internal challenges and may not complete their full five-year terms.
As the newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) prepares to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, concerns are arising about potential fractures within the alliance, even though it has only held its third meeting.
INDIA’s ‘Mission 2024’ aims to present a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during India’s quintessential democratic festival that occurs every five years. Nonetheless, reports of internal divisions have started to surface, casting a shadow over the coalition’s future.
Media reports suggest that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), after its recent Politburo meeting, has chosen not to align with the INDIA coalition. Notably, this coalition includes their state rivals, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal and the United Democratic Front (UDF) for West Bengal and Kerala.
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Sources close to the developments have indicated that it was unfeasible to request the ruling Left Front (LDF) in Kerala not to contest seats currently held by the Congress. This hints at the complex dynamics between the LDF and UDF in the Kerala legislative assembly.
In West Bengal, the CPI(M) has traditionally maintained its distance from collaborating with the TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, or the BJP. The CPI(M) boasts a remarkable history of governing West Bengal for an unprecedented thirty-four years.
Several media reports have also noted the phrase “as far as possible” in the INDIA bloc’s resolution regarding contesting elections together. This wording has triggered speculations about the unity of the INDIA bloc, especially concerning state legislative assembly elections.
The CPI(M) has also declined to nominate its representative for the INDIA bloc’s Coordination and Election Strategy committee. While it is unsurprising that Mamata Banerjee and Sitaram Yechury might have reservations about sharing a stage within the INDIA bloc, the rivalry between the CPI(M) and TMC is just one example of regional parties with conflicting interests. To succeed in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the INDIA bloc will need to navigate numerous such rivalries, including the feud between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
