Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, May 16: Veteran Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram has expressed concern over the unity of the INDIA bloc, hinting that the opposition alliance may be showing signs of internal strain. Speaking at the launch of the book Contesting Democratic Deficit by Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav, Chidambaram admitted that while some leaders still believe the alliance is intact, he is “not so sure”.
"The future of the INDIA bloc, as Mritunjay Singh Yadav said, is not very bright. It is only Salman (Khurshid) who can say with certainty because he was part of the negotiating team. I would be very happy if it is intact. But it shows at the seams that it is frayed," said Chidambaram.
He, however, expressed hope that there was still time to stitch the alliance together, adding that the opposition must be prepared to face a “formidable political machinery” in the run-up to the 2029 general elections.
“There has never been a party so formidably organised as the BJP. It’s not just a political party — it’s a machine behind a machine, controlling all major institutions, from the Election Commission to local police stations,” he warned, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead.
Referring to India's electoral integrity, Chidambaram noted, “You can interfere or tinker with elections, but you can't get away with them. India still remains an electoral democracy.” He cautioned that if the 2029 elections further tilt towards the BJP, the country could be “beyond repair”.
Co-author of the book and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid echoed Chidambaram’s concerns and said the INDIA bloc must address internal issues and focus on broader strategies.
"We need to go beyond seat-sharing and think on a national scale. If we remain narrowly focused on numbers, we risk missing the larger mission — reversing the current electoral trends," Khurshid stated.
The book, Contesting Democratic Deficit, reflects on the Congress party’s attempts at revival through initiatives like the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and the formation of the INDIA bloc, aimed at safeguarding India’s pluralistic and democratic values.
The remarks by senior Congress leaders come amid speculations of rift within the opposition bloc and serve as a clarion call for consolidation ahead of the crucial 2029 general elections.