NEW DELHI — Internal strategic debate broke out during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Tuesday after senior party leader Digvijaya Singh suggested that the INDIA opposition alliance should have prevented Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar from exiting the coalition in early 2024.
Singh’s observation—that the coalition’s broader political trajectory might have differed had the Bihar Chief Minister remained within the fold—drew a swift, decisive response from Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who dismissed the premise of the argument.
Key Highlights & Internal Dialogue
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Sonia Gandhi’s Rebuttal: Intervening in the discussion, Sonia Gandhi asserted that Nitish Kumar’s departure was inevitable, noting that the JD(U) leader was actively looking for exit avenues and that his departure at that juncture worked out for the best.
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Mallikarjun Kharge’s Standpoint: Concurring with Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that Kumar’s earlier bid to serve as the INDIA bloc convener was “merely a charade,” pointing out that his political calculations had already shifted toward state-level realignments.
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Context of the Exit: Nitish Kumar formally dissolved his alliance with the Mahagathbandhan and returned to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on January 28, 2024, citing operational dissatisfaction and delays in coalition seat-sharing arrangements.
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Coalition Focus: Despite historical reflections, the CWC leadership maintained that the party’s immediate priorities lie in strengthening current INDIA alliance coordination, challenging electoral processes, and mobilizing nationwide public campaigns.
