INDIA bloc shows signs of unity

The alleged voter fraud controversy has once again brought the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) closer to the Congress-led Opposition INDIA bloc. Leaders from AAP, including Sanjay Singh, attended a dinner organised by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at the Taj Palace Hotel in the national capital on Monday. Also present was Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, signaling a possible rapprochement with the party’s top leadership.

Amid row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and allegations of “voter fraud” in the 2024 LS elections, the Opposition unitedly is mounting pressure on the EC to come clear over the issue.

The move follows a recent show of unity when top INDIA bloc leaders dined at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition(LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s residence, where the entire Opposition except AAP—who was not invited then, pledged to oppose the electoral rolls’ revision in Bihar and what they called the BJP-Election Commission’s “vote chori model”.

AAP presence at Kharge’s dinner assumes significance considering AAP had expressed reservations about joining the INDIA bloc due to differences with Congress. However, on the ‘SIR’ issue and “vote chori”, the Kejriwal-led party seems to be in alignment with the INDIA bloc.

Also, Tharoor presence at the party’s event is significant. The Thiruvananthapuram MP seems to be toeing Congress line again. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Tharoor made comments on the India-Pakistan conflict and the diplomatic outreach that were at variance with the stand of the Congress.