India bloc must grow beyond elections for stronger opposition unity, says CPI (M) leader Prakash Karat

The opposition India bloc was formed specifically for the Lok Sabha elections and not for state polls, senior CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat has asserted, calling for a broader platform of secular opposition parties to counter the ruling BJP effectively.

In an interview with news agency PTI, the CPI(M) interim coordinator, emphasized that the alliance should not be restricted to electoral politics alone but should evolve into a broader political force. He noted that there had been no discussions at the national level about the bloc’s future after the Lok Sabha elections, as constituent parties were navigating their own regional political equations.

India bloc’s impact and post-election challenges

Karat acknowledged that the formation of the INDIA bloc and cooperation among its members had played a key role in preventing the BJP from securing a majority in the Lok Sabha. However, he pointed out that subsequent assembly elections yielded mixed results for the opposition.

"The biggest setback for the opposition has been Maharashtra, where the Maha Vikas Aghadi performed well in the Lok Sabha elections, leading to a BJP defeat. However, in the assembly elections, the results reversed in the BJP’s favor," Karat said.

The CPI(M) leader also noted that the opposition had achieved success in Jharkhand, where INDIA bloc constituents managed to defeat the BJP. However, he cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions, given the vastly different political dynamics across states.

"The general impression after these assembly elections is that the BJP recovered ground. But this should not be directly linked to the future of the INDIA bloc, which was primarily conceived to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections," he stated.

A call for broader opposition unity

Karat underscored the absence of discussions on the way forward for the INDIA bloc after the general elections and reiterated the need for a more extensive opposition platform.

"There has been no structured discussion on how to proceed beyond the Lok Sabha elections. A broad-based secular opposition platform is needed. The INDIA bloc was not initially designed for state elections, so the way forward must be deliberated upon by all its constituents," he said.

He pointed to existing alliances in states such as Bihar and Tamil Nadu, while acknowledging complexities in states like West Bengal and Delhi, where traditional rivalries make cooperation challenging.

Beyond elections: A vision for the opposition

Karat questioned whether the India bloc should remain an electoral alliance or transform into a more cohesive political movement.

"If it remains purely electoral, it will be tied down by state-specific conflicts and contradictions. The alliance came together because of a shared opposition to the Modi government and the BJP’s policies. With the Modi government entering its third term, the focus should be on defending democracy, secularism, and federalism. These common concerns can serve as the foundation for a broader opposition coalition," he said.

Calling for a fresh approach, Karat urged opposition parties to move beyond short-term electoral calculations and focus on the larger political battle ahead.

"We must reimagine the INDIA bloc beyond just elections. If opposition unity is solely based on immediate electoral gains, it will be mired in conflicts and differing perspectives. The goal should be an alternative to the Modi government and its policies, requiring a restructured, long-term platform," he asserted. Karat’s remarks highlight the pressing need for the opposition to define a sustainable strategy that extends beyond periodic electoral alliances, ensuring a more unified and formidable challenge to the ruling establishment in the years to come.