INDIA bloc fractures: DMK, CPI-M accuse Congress of 'backstabbing' allies
Synopsis
The INDIA bloc's internal fault lines burst into the open on 7 June, with the DMK announcing a boycott of the alliance's 8 June meeting and CPI-M's Hannan Mollah calling out Rahul Gandhi by name for 'abusing' partners. With the JMM also clashing with Congress over Rajya Sabha seats, the opposition coalition faces its most public stress test yet.
Key Takeaways
DMK announced a boycott of the INDIA bloc meeting scheduled for 8 June , citing Congress's post-Tamil Nadu elections exit from their alliance.
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai called the Congress 'backstabbers' who exploited the party's grassroots work.
CPI-M leader Hannan Mollah directly criticised Rahul Gandhi for 'abusing' partners and failing to carry the alliance together.
CPI-M has demanded that Congress clarify its 'deal with the BJP' remarks made during the Kerala poll campaign.
The JMM and Congress are also at odds over seat-sharing ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand .
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) on Sunday, 7 June launched sharp attacks on the Indian National Congress (Congress), accusing it of 'backstabbing' partners and failing to hold the INDIA bloc opposition alliance together. The outburst marks one of the most open displays of discord within the coalition since its formation.
DMK Boycotts INDIA Bloc Meeting
The DMK announced it would not attend the INDIA bloc's scheduled meeting on 8 June, citing the Congress's decision to exit their alliance following the Tamil Nadu elections. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the party had no intention of sharing a platform with the Congress.
'The Congress are backstabbers. They stole our work and the sweat and toil of the workers of the DMK party and then switched camps. It is opportunism at its best. It would be an insult to all the DMK cadres if the party participates in, or is seen at, a place where the Congress is a part,' Annadurai said.
He added, however, that the DMK remains committed to listening to other alliance partners and ensuring that 'the common man in the country does not suffer.'
CPI-M Calls Out Rahul Gandhi by Name
CPI-M leader Hannan Mollah directed his criticism squarely at Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, arguing that the largest party in any coalition carries the greatest responsibility for keeping it intact.
'If you want to lead, you have to carry everyone along. If you abuse your partners, who will remain with you? Rahul Gandhi criticises CPI-M in one place and DMK in another,' Mollah said.
He stressed that the Congress needed to demonstrate the maturity and capacity to represent every constituent of the front. 'The behaviour of Congress is damaging the alliance,' he claimed, adding that a credible leader 'cannot behave in a way that damages unity.'
CPI-M's Kerala Grievance
The CPI-M's frustration also stems from remarks made during the Kerala poll campaign, in which Congress leaders reportedly alleged a 'deal with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)' — a charge the Left party has asked the Congress to formally clarify. The episode has deepened mistrust between the two parties at the national level even as they contest against each other in Kerala.
JMM-Congress Friction Over Rajya Sabha Seats
The internal tensions extend beyond the DMK and CPI-M. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which leads the ruling alliance in Jharkhand, is reported to be at odds with the Congress over seat-sharing ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The dispute adds another pressure point to an alliance already struggling with coherence.
What This Means for the Opposition
This comes amid a broader pattern of centrifugal forces within the INDIA bloc, where regional parties have repeatedly signalled that the Congress — as the nominal anchor of the alliance — has not matched its leadership role with adequate consultation. Notably, this is not the first time the DMK has threatened to distance itself from Congress-led platforms. With state-level compulsions and national ambitions frequently diverging, the bloc's unity ahead of future electoral contests remains in question.
Point of View
Defections become rational. What is striking is the personalisation of the critique: naming Rahul Gandhi directly, rather than 'the Congress high command', suggests these leaders have concluded that diplomatic language has run its course. The JMM friction over Rajya Sabha seats adds a transactional dimension — showing that even where the Congress governs alongside allies, it has not earned goodwill. The bloc's survival now depends on whether the Congress can shift from a posture of entitlement to one of genuine coalition management.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the DMK boycott the INDIA bloc meeting on 8 June?
The DMK boycotted the INDIA bloc meeting on 8 June because the Congress pulled out of their electoral alliance following the Tamil Nadu elections. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the party did not want to share a platform with the Congress, calling it an act of 'backstabbing.'
What did CPI-M's Hannan Mollah say about Rahul Gandhi?
CPI-M leader Hannan Mollah said Rahul Gandhi was failing in his responsibility as the leader of the opposition front by criticising alliance partners — the CPI-M in one state and the DMK in another. He argued that a coalition leader must carry all partners along and cannot 'abuse' allies without fracturing unity.
What is the CPI-M's grievance over the Kerala election campaign?
The CPI-M has asked the Congress to clarify remarks made during the Kerala poll campaign in which Congress leaders allegedly accused the Left party of having a 'deal with the BJP.' The CPI-M has demanded the Congress 'clear the air' on the charge, which has deepened tensions between the two parties at the national level.
How is the JMM involved in the INDIA bloc tensions?
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which leads the ruling alliance in Jharkhand, is reported to be at odds with the Congress over seat-sharing ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The dispute adds a fresh pressure point to the already strained opposition coalition.
What does this mean for the future of the INDIA bloc?
The open criticism from both the DMK and CPI-M, combined with the JMM's Rajya Sabha dispute, signals that the INDIA bloc faces serious coherence challenges. Regional parties have indicated that the Congress has not fulfilled its leadership responsibilities, raising questions about the alliance's unity ahead of future elections.
