Strained to breaking point: INDIA alliance reels under ‘Vijay Impact’

NEW DELHI: The opposition ‘INDIA’ bloc faces a potential collapse following a dramatic fallout between the DMK and the Congress. Triggered by the Congress party's decision to support actor-politician Vijay’s TVK in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has effectively distanced itself from the alliance, signalling a major shift in national politics.

Key developments:

• Seating Realignment: DMK MP Kanimozhi has formally petitioned Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to allot separate seating for the party's 22 lawmakers, explicitly stating they will no longer share the bench with Congress representatives.
• Allegations of Betrayal: Internal sources suggest the DMK leadership feels "betrayed," viewing the Congress's recent manoeuvres as a "stab in the back" during a critical political juncture.
• National Implications: As one of the most vocal critics of the BJP, the DMK's withdrawal deals a heavy blow to the opposition's unified front.

Crumbling coalition?

The timing of this rift is particularly damaging. It comes less than a month after the bloc displayed rare unity regarding the Women's Reservation Bill. With the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal and the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh already maintaining a frosty relationship with the Congress, political analysts warn that the 'INDIA' alliance may be on the verge of a total breakdown, leaving the Congress increasingly isolated.

Regional Leaders Regroup

In a show of solidarity against the Congress, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took to social media to support M.K. Stalin and Mamata Banerjee. Posting a photo of the trio on X, Yadav remarked that his party does not "abandon allies in times of crisis"—a pointed critique of the Congress's recent strategy in Tamil Nadu.