The recent state election results have sparked a debate regarding leadership and strategy, within the INDIA alliance. Even though the Congress-led MVA did significantly well in the Lok Sabha elections, they floundered in the assembly elections. Contrary to this, INDIA bloc in Jharkhand retained power under Hemant Soren’s strong leadership and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress secured a win in the by-polls, in all six assembly seats.
Following this, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee has proposed Mamata Banerjee’s name as the INDIA alliance’s leader, citing her experience and popularity. However, this received mixed reactions as Congress and CPI(M) have dismissed it due to Trinamool’s limited national presence. This raises the question of integrity within the opposition bloc, ahead of the 2026 general elections.
