INDIA bloc's Patna rally: Unity displayed or weakness exposed?

Former Bihar CM and RJD chief Lalu Prasad. (File photo)

In a display of solidarity, the Jan Vishwas Maharally, organised by Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Patna on March 3, highlighted the opposition unity under the banner of the INDIA bloc. Despite the absence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the rally aimed to instill confidence in voters regarding the formidable unity of opposition forces. Lalu, in a strategic move to sway public sentiment against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, said, "We are poised to dismantle the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The time has come to take control of Delhi." He further taunted Nitish, stating, "If Nitish aligns with us again, he will suffer a setback."

Political analysts argue that Lalu's rhetoric echoes an unsubstantiated confidence, indicating an exaggeration of the INDIA bloc's power. They point out that there are disagreements within the INDIA bloc, and no agreements have been finalised yet about how seats will be shared for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections slated for April-May. Nowadays, just talking isn't enough to win votes in India, as voters care more about real issues.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, highlighted Bihar's key role in driving political shifts across the nation. He emphasised that the imminent general election would emerge as a battleground where sentiments of animosity and affection vie for supremacy.

The RJD boss played the Hindu card, launching a direct personal attack on PM Narendra Modi. Citing specific examples, he contended that PM Modi's actions diverged from Hindu principles. Additionally, he scrutinised PM Modi's familial ties. More siginificantly, Lalu invoked the principles of the Mandal Commission and called for unity under the cause of social justice. He declared his commitment to defeating the BJP in the upcoming elections, urging the crowd to raise their hands and pledge to remove Modi from power at the Centre. The event also signified Lalu's return to the public rally platform after an absence of almost nine years, his last appearance dating back to mid-2015.

Furthermore, Lalu commended the efforts of his son and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, underscoring his pivotal role within the Grand Alliance government. He attributed the creation of numerous government job opportunities to Tejashwi's leadership. Characterising the Grand Alliance as a fortress of unity amid societal divisions, Lalu advocated for economic and social parity.

Lalu reiterated the significance of a caste-based census for the nation and criticised the Agniveer Yojana for its adverse impact on the youth. He underscored that Tejashwi was already aware of Nitish’s visit to Raj Bhavan and his conversation with Modi. He asserted that there were no misdeeds during our governance in Bihar.

Analysts have emphasised that the opposition's endeavour to remove Modi from power will be an difficult task. As India's most popular leader by a significant margin, Modi's widespread appeal poses a formidable challenge for any opposition movement.

The BJP, either independently or as part of a coalition, currently holds governance in 17 out of India's 28 states, with the recent addition of Bihar. This significant political development expands the saffron party’s influence over a considerable portion of India's populace, including a total population of 72.06 crore. Moreover, these states collectively wield massive political clout, accounting for nearly 55.24 percent of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats, according to a Bloomberg report.

Nitish’s renewed alliance with the BJP delivered a substantial blow to the cohesion of the INDIA bloc. The disruption in opposition unity highlights its fragile nature, akin to a house of cards susceptible to collapse. Just as the removal of a single card imperils the entire structure, the departure of Nitish jeopardises the coalition as a whole, leaving it at risk of disintegration, according to experts.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured an impressive victory by clinching 303 parliamentary seats, comfortably surpassing the halfway mark of 272 required for a majority on its own.

Prime Minister Modi, meanwhile, has underscored what he views as a double standard within the INDIA bloc, likening their response to the Sandeshkhali situation to the iconic three monkeys of Gandhiji, representing a refusal to see, hear, or speak of evil. Despite holding joint meetings in Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, leaders from the Congress and Left parties within the alliance purportedly abstained from seeking clarifications from the CM or the government regarding the Sandeshkhali issue.