The ongoing seat-sharing dispute between the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) is causing a strain on the future of the INDIA alliance, with top leaders from both parties engaging in a bitter war of words. The alliance, which had previously shown promise, now faces uncertainty due to unresolved differences.
One significant development indicating the weakening of the INDIA alliance is the use of the “PDA” term by SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav in a recent social media post related to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Notably, Yadav’s post did not make any mention of the INDIA alliance, raising concerns about its sustainability.
The rift between Congress and SP began when Congress opted not to allocate any seats to its INDIA ally during the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. This move was perceived as a betrayal by the Samajwadi Party, as it had believed Congress had assured them of seats in the assembly polls. In response, Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the SP, has consistently criticized the grand old party, resulting in both parties fielding candidates against each other in 18 constituencies in the state.
The situation became more strained when the Samajwadi Party felt that Congress did not honor its previous agreements and engagements within the INDIA alliance. The lack of communication and a failure to respect established alliances have led to increasing friction between the two parties.
One notable development is the use of the “PDA” term by Akhilesh Yadav in his recent social media post. The post featured a photograph of a Samajwadi Party worker with his back painted in the party’s signature red-and-green colors, along with a message that read, “Mission 2024. May Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) remain immortal. ‘PDA’ will mark the victory of the election this time. Akhilesh Yadav will bring justice for the poor.”
This use of “PDA” without referencing the INDIA alliance in the post has raised questions about the unity of the alliance. While the INDIA alliance had initially represented a potential force in Indian politics, the internal discord between its key members is threatening its stability.
The future of the INDIA alliance remains uncertain as the seat-sharing dispute continues to escalate, highlighting the challenges of maintaining political unity among various parties with diverse interests and priorities. Whether the alliance can overcome its internal differences and regain its political strength will be closely watched in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
