INDIA bloc divided over Omar Abdullah's 'life support’ remark; Shiv Sena (UBT), CPI call for introspection

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's remark that the Opposition INDIA bloc is currently "on life support" has drawn mixed reactions from allies, with many calling for introspection.

Speaking at an event in Delhi on Saturday, the National Conference leader had noted the infighting in the alliance and its organisational and strategic failure to match the BJP's round-the-clock election machine.

INDIA bloc is currently "on life support" and risks being wheeled into the "ICU", he had said.

While a few parties like the RJD and the PDP took exception to Abdulla's remarks, others, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Communist Party of India (CPI), stressed the need for reenergising the opposition alliance.

CPI general secretary D. Raja urged the INDIA allies to conduct an introspection and noted that no meeting of the bloc has been held since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"When the secular democratic parties came together to form INDIA bloc, the whole objective was to save India and defeat the BJP. Now what is happening, why is INDIA bloc not functioning with the expected coordination and coherence?," Raja asked. 

"The CPI is appealing to all parties in the bloc to do introspection. We need to see what lessons we draw from the Haryana, Maharashtra, and Bihar elections," he told PTI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, too, pointed out that the alliance hadn't met since the Lok Sabha polls.

"As for the INDIA alliance, even before the Bihar elections, Uddhav Thackeray had said that a meeting was necessary, but after the Lok Sabha elections, no major meeting of the full alliance has taken place," she said.

Chaturvedi asserted that all parties in the bloc, especially those leading it, will have to rethink, re-energise, and figure out how to come together again.

She noted that issues like late finalisation of seat sharing and candidates, lack of a common agenda, and friendly fights are among the factors that cost the alliance in states like Maharashtra and Bihar.

RJD leader Manoj Jha, however, slammed Abdulla's remarks, terming them as "rushed comments".

"If it (INDIA bloc) is on life support, they are also a part of it. What efforts are they making to revive the organs? This is not just an issue of one political party. All political parties that are part of it share the responsibility," he said.

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai claimed that if the goal of the INDIA bloc is to defeat fascist forces, then there is no need to be disheartened.

"Yes, defeats can make people feel unsettled, but that is exactly what the BJP wants. Those who are fighting the BJP and these fascist forces should not fall into this trap. Wins and losses are part of politics," he said.

The PDP, too, hit out at the chief minister's remarks, stating he had used the INDIA bloc and the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration for election gains.

"When they need votes, they use the INDIA alliance and PAGD, but when he goes outside the state, he supports the narrative of the NDA government and the BJP," he said.