New Delhi: What began as a united show of strength by the INDIA bloc demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is increasingly appearing to be a solo act starring Rahul Gandhi. The outsized spotlight on the Gandhi siblings during the ongoing demonstrations has reportedly triggered unease among key opposition allies, including Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT).
The resentment stems from the perception that a joint opposition protest has been hijacked to serve as a platform for the Gandhi family. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj openly expressed this frustration, remarking that it is unacceptable for the movement to be reduced to “reels of Rahul and Priyanka.”
The discontent began brewing on October 6. While several prominent leaders, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, were detained early on, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi staged a sit-in at the Akashvani Bhavan. This sudden change in route by the Gandhi siblings allowed them to evade immediate detention and monopolise media coverage, much to the chagrin of their allies.
An SP insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that the lack of coordination was glaring. “This was a joint protest of the INDIA bloc, not of the Gandhi family,” the source noted, echoing sentiments that the Gandhis deliberately tried to steal the show. Similar views have been echoed by Left leaders.
However, observers point out that Rahul Gandhi’s media dominance is also a direct result of his prolonged presence on the ground. Over three days, the Congress leader spent nearly 26.5 hours protesting on the streets, including an 11.5-hour stretch on Tuesday and a 9.5-hour stint on October 7.
Despite this, the tactical shifts by the Congress leadership have undeniably widened rifts within the alliance. While 23 parties initially participated in the October 6 protests, the numbers quickly dwindled. The SP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction subsequently distanced themselves from the marches. Adding to the visible fractures, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav unexpectedly backed out of the scheduled events for October 10. Even during a joint opposition lunch on October 8, representatives from SP and Shiv Sena (UBT) were present but conspicuously chose not to join the subsequent protest march.