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Akhilesh Yadav said that the bloc was formed so that the regional parties, that are challenging the BJP, should be supported.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav (Image: PTI/File)
Amid the speculations of internal conflicts and differences among leaders over the future of the opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav dismissed the speculations of rift asserting that the bloc is intact.
He further said that SP is on the path to strengthen the INDIA alliance.
“INDIA alliance is intact. INDIA alliance was formed to gather the regional parties against the BJP. Samajwadi party is still on the path to strengthening the INDIA alliance. It stands with the parties that are fighting against the BJP,” he said while addressing the reporters.
#WATCH | Lucknow, UP | Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, “INDIA alliance is intact. INDIA alliance was formed to gather the regional parties against the BJP. Samajwadi party is still on the path to strengthening the INDIA alliance. It stands with the parties that are… pic.twitter.com/pZRnqclQKJ— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025
The SP chief further said that the bloc was formed so that the regional parties, that are challenging the BJP, should be supported.
Yadav’s comment came after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal announced to go solo and contest against the Congress and the BJP in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) also announced to contest solo in the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra cities.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut earlier had cited the lack of opportunities for workers of respective parties in an alliance and the right to organisational growth as the major considerations for contesting solo, which raised a question mark over the opposition bloc’s unity.
He said that it was the responsibility of the Congress to keep the INDIA bloc intact as it was the largest party in the opposition alliance.
“If the alliance partners feel the INDIA bloc was only for the Lok Sabha polls and doesn’t exist now, the Congress is to be blamed (for this situation). There has been no communication, dialogue (among constituents). We fought the Lok Sabha elections (together) and got good results. There should have been a meeting (of INDIA) to chalk out future plans and it was the Congress’ responsibility to take initiative in this regard,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari said the alliance’s broader purpose was to safeguard the soul of the country, not merely to contest the Lok Sabha elections.
“The INDIA alliance was created to safeguard the soul of the country, not merely to contest the Lok Sabha elections. It delivered a strong performance, which curbed BJP’s dominance in many regions. The future course will be decided collectively by all alliance leaders.” Tewari said.
The speculations of the rift grew stronger after J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the INDIA bloc should be disbanded as the opposition wasn’t united.
(With inputs from agencies)
