Tejashwi Yadav’s 'INDIA bloc limited to Lok Sabha polls' remark triggers war of words

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav

Ahead of Delhi Assembly election, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav’s statement that the INDI alliance was only for Lok Sabha elections has triggered a war of words in Bihar.

“It was already decided from before that the INDI Alliance was for Lok Sabha polls only,” Tejashwi told reporters when asked about his remarks on AAP and Congress contesting Delhi polls separately.

He also said it was not an unusual thing. “In Lok Sabha election, the main motto was to defeat the BJP in the election and the alliance of the INDIA bloc was limited to that motto. In such a situation, it is not unnatural for the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party to have conflicts," said Yadav.

His remarks came in the wake of conflicts within the INDIA bloc after RJD chief Lalu Yadav backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s willingness to lead the Opposition alliance instead of Congress leaders.

Meanwhile, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tewari told CNN-News18 that the Congress should prepare to go solo in the Bihar assembly polls slated for later this year. “Congress should not aim for just 70 seats in Bihar, they should prepare for all 243 seats. Anything less will not help them assist anyone effectively," Tewari said.

In response, Congress Legislature Party leader Shakil Ahmad Khan told CNN-News18 that if anyone underestimates Congress, the party will take them even more lightly.

JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said that the public comments from RJD and Congress leadership show there is no United INDIA bloc. “The way CLP leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan reacted to Tejashwi Yadav’s comments, it is clear that the INDIA bloc in Bihar is on the verge of extinction. They would have lost even if they fought the elections together but as separate entities they don’t even realise how much of a struggle it would be," Ranjan said.

Divisions in the INDIA bloc have come to the fore on numerous occasions since the conclusion of Lok Sabha polls in June last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, in the parliamentary polls campaign, predicted that the INDIA bloc would “disintegrate” after results were announced on June 4, 2024.

During the Winter Session of the Parliament, TMC and Samajwadi Party avoided participating in the protests led by Congress on the complex against the Centre. The TMC has pitched Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the bloc, gaining support from several parties and barring Congress.

In the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, AAP and Congress announced to go solo and not forge any alliance. Their alliance talks did not materialise in Haryana where the BJP returned to power for a third term last year.

Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party and Mamata-led TMC have expressed their support for the AAP in Delhi, leaving Congress, which hopes to lead the INDIA bloc, isolated.

Delhi Assembly Elections

The 70-member Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with vote counting slated for February 8. The national capital is set to witness a three-way contest among the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress.