New Delhi – In a noteworthy turn of events following the INDIA alliance’s proclamation to stand “together as far as possible” in upcoming elections, the fine print of this unity was put to the test in recent bypolls held in Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Bengal. INDIA member parties found themselves not only competing with rival political entities but also, on occasion, locking horns with their own allies.
In the southern state of Kerala, the Congress managed to fend off the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Aam Aadmi Party, in addition to the Bharatiya Janata Party, securing victory in the Puthuppally constituency.
Meanwhile, in Bengal’s Dhupguri, the CPM and Congress joined forces, but their collective might was directed against another INDIA ally, the Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as well as the BJP. In this contest, the Trinamool emerged victorious.
In Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, who had allied for the Ghosi bypoll in Uttar Pradesh, narrowly missed victory in a three-way battle, with the BJP ultimately triumphing.
Notably, INDIA supporters can take solace in the fact that in four other constituencies, the alliance presented a united front. However, the BJP appeared largely unfazed, securing wins in Tripura’s Boxanagar and Dhanpur.
In the closely watched Ghosi bypoll, pitched as a litmus test for INDIA’s unity, the Samajwadi Party’s Sudhakar Singh is on the cusp of victory, while the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, another INDIA member, emerged triumphant in Dumri.
The need for these bypolls arose due to the unfortunate demise of sitting MLAs, while resignations prompted fresh elections in Ghosi and Dhanpur.
These bypolls represent the first electoral tests for the INDIA bloc since its formation in Mumbai, with its commitment to contest all future elections “together as far as possible.” This choice of words has sparked curiosity and raised questions about the unity and cohesion of the alliance, especially in their efforts to challenge the dominance of the BJP.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the nation watches with keen interest to see how the INDIA alliance navigates the intricate terrain of Indian politics.