Pahalgam Attack, Trump’s Claims, and Bihar Voter Rolls: INDIA Bloc Finalizes Parliament Strategy
The 24-party INDIA opposition alliance has laid out its strategy to confront the government during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins July 21. Following a virtual meeting, the bloc announced it will raise several high-profile issues, including the government’s handling of the Pahalgam terror attack, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire, and a controversial revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Senior leaders from the alliance deliberated on a list of eight major issues. The group plans to demand answers on what it calls the government’s “inaction” and “intelligence failure” in bringing the perpetrators of the April 22 Pahalgam attack to justice. Another key focus will be the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which opposition leaders have condemned as a “vote-bandi” (vote ban) and an attempt to disenfranchise citizens under an “undeclared Emergency.”
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Congress’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, insisted that the Prime Minister must be present in Parliament to address these critical matters, stating, “Parliament is more important than travelling abroad.”
Other major topics on the opposition’s agenda include alleged failures in foreign policy, the ongoing Gaza crisis, the delimitation process, and what they term as growing atrocities against Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, and minorities. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed that restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir remains a top priority, and announced an in-person meeting of the INDIA bloc for further strategizing in August.
The virtual meeting saw participation from prominent leaders like Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a founding member, did not attend and has officially announced its withdrawal from the coalition. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin were also notably absent.
During the discussion, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee reportedly criticized the government for using “E-square” tactics: “ED for opposition leaders and EC for voters.” The bloc also plans to raise issues concerning the Ahmedabad plane crash, “Operation Sindoor,” farmers’ struggles, unemployment, and rising prices.
The alliance also discussed impeachment proceedings against members of the judiciary, including the controversy surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma, and a pending motion against Justice Shekhar Yadav.
Internal dynamics were also on the table, with CPI leader D. Raja reportedly expressing concern over recent remarks by Rahul Gandhi comparing the Left to the RSS, cautioning that such statements could demoralize supporters.