Protecting federalism must be the INDIA bloc’s ‘glue’

At the meeting on June 8, 2026, of political parties under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, in New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted that the Congress party is the only party with a presence across all Indian States, whereas other parties are typically confined to one or two States. He argued, therefore, that the Congress is the only party that is capable of acting as the “glue” that holds the alliance together.

Congress leads, but informally

All constituents of the alliance acknowledge the pivotal role that the Congress plays in driving the INDIA bloc forward. Even the Left parties, despite their various criticisms of the Congress, broadly agree with this view. The criticism levelled against the Congress during alliance meetings is that it has failed to effectively facilitate the electoral success of its partners and, at times, has campaigned in ways that cast doubt on the fundamental principles and political positions of its allies.

The INDIA bloc was formed prior to the 2024 general election as a loose coalition of parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Although the Congress played a significant role in its formation, some alliance partners did not agree to the party assuming formal leadership of the coalition. No leader was elected for the alliance either. While action plans were occasionally drawn up and resolutions passed, the alliance never evolved into a formal organisational structure.

The basis of unity

Contrary to Mr. Abdullah’s assertion, it is not the Congress that serves as the bloc’s “glue”; rather, a shared apprehension about the BJP is the objective factor that brought the coalition into being The BJP’s unlawful and authoritarian political conduct has instilled fear among all non-BJP parties. It is this very fear that acts as the unifying force for the Opposition.

Consequently, a compelling necessity has arisen for all parties — which realise that they have no meaningful political future unless the BJP is defeated in the upcoming general election — to work in unison.

However, defeating the BJP alone cannot be the sole objective of an alliance. The INDIA bloc comprises both national and regional parties. It is true that the BJP’s domineering style of politics threatens the very existence of Opposition parties.

More importantly, however, it poses a threat to the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, secularism and the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution by increasingly concentrating power in the hands of the Union government. Consequently, opposition to the BJP has brought these parties together, and there is nothing inherently wrong with that.

State rights matter

Yet, an alliance formed merely out of fear cannot endure in the long run. The principle of federalism, and the Constitution that upholds it, must serve as the real “glue” that gives this alliance coherence and an organised structure. It is essential that not only national parties within the alliance — such as the Congress — but also regional parties from North India, where awareness of State rights is often inadequate, embrace the conviction that State rights must be safeguarded. Only by internalising this principle can the bloc move forward effectively.

Though the Congress understands the importance of upholding the Constitution, it remains reluctant to fully recognise and champion the rights of States. It will truly grasp the significance of regional parties only when it recognises that federalism is one of the basic features of the Constitution, and that secularism alone is not sufficient to distinguish it from the BJP. If the Congress continues to sideline federalism, it risks being viewed by regional parties merely as a substitute for the BJP rather than as an alternative political force.

D. Ravikumar is a second time Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu and is General Secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)