Just when the Opposition INDIA bloc was trying to put up a united front ahead of the crucial three-day special Parliament session, a fresh crack appeared on Wednesday evening — this time over MP attendance.
During a strategy meeting at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, Rahul Gandhi openly expressed discomfort with the Trinamool Congress’s stance. TMC leader Sagarika Ghosh had earlier made it clear that, due to the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections, not all TMC MPs would be able to reach Delhi. Only five to seven MPs were expected to attend the important sittings where the government plans to introduce amendments to the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Rahul reportedly reacted sharply, saying that if Opposition MPs do not turn up in full strength, it would only help the BJP. His point was simple yet pointed: this is not the time to put state polls above the bigger battle to protect democracy in Parliament.
DMK’s TR Baalu backed Rahul, noting that even Tamil Nadu has elections, but his party MPs are all coming. AAP’s Sanjay Singh went further, calling the issue “bigger than elections” and warning that if the BJP is allowed to weaken democratic institutions now, future polls themselves could become meaningless.
That’s when Uddhav Thackeray stepped in as the peacemaker. Joining the meeting virtually, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said he would personally speak to ‘Didi’, Mamata Banerjee, and ensure that all TMC MPs make it to Delhi for the session.
The intervention brought some relief, with leaders hoping the matter would be resolved quickly through dialogue. The episode, however, once again highlights the delicate balancing act within the INDIA alliance, where fierce state-level rivalry (especially between Congress and TMC in Bengal), often collides with the need for national unity against the BJP.
With the special session beginning Thursday and the delimitation-linked women’s quota bill expected to trigger heated debates, the Opposition knows that any visible cracks could hand the ruling side easy points. Whether Uddhav’s talk with Mamata delivers full attendance or not, the incident has once again exposed how tough it is to keep the “INDIA” family together when local battles are at their peak.
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