New Delhi, June 8: Opposition leaders on Monday stressed the need to protect democratic values and focus on public welfare issues as key constituents of the INDIA bloc met at the Constitution Club in the capital amid emerging differences within the alliance.
Leaders arriving for the meeting said that the agenda would be decided collectively during discussions. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said alliance partners would take decisions together, adding that efforts would be made to strengthen unity and uphold democratic values.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav declined to comment on expected outcomes, saying details would emerge after deliberations among members of the alliance.
CPI general secretary D. Raja described the meeting as significant, noting that it was being held after a long gap when several issues required attention. He said there was no fixed agenda but emphasised that matters related to people’s livelihoods and national concerns would be discussed. Raja also recalled the alliance’s call to “defeat the BJP and save the country,” and said cooperation and mutual trust among partners should remain a priority.
He further cautioned against public statements that could deepen mistrust within the coalition.
The meeting comes amid visible strains within the opposition alliance. Recently, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge objecting to remarks made by senior Congress leaders during the Kerala election campaign, accusing the Left of having ties with the BJP.
The CPI(M) has maintained that such public exchanges weaken opposition unity. The DMK is also absent from the meeting, having accused the Congress of betrayal in Tamil Nadu, while the Aam Aadmi Party has already exited the INDIA bloc and is not participating.
