Union Minister and Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athawale on Sunday, 12 July said the INDIA bloc is 'steadily weakening', pointing to Mamata Banerjee's diminished political influence as a key factor behind the Opposition alliance's decline. Athawale made the remarks in Mumbai, where he also weighed in on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the Siddhivinayak Temple donations controversy.

INDIA Bloc Losing Ground, Says Athawale

Athawale argued that the Opposition grouping, which had shown early momentum, has since lost considerable steam. 'The Opposition is steadily weakening. It was relatively stronger in the beginning, but as Mamata Banerjee's influence has declined, several Trinamool Congress MPs have joined the NDA,' he said.

He further claimed that six MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) had switched to the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, and alleged that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had also exited the INDIA bloc — a claim that strengthens, in his telling, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s position. 'The Opposition is weakening and we are not responsible for that,' Athawale stated, asserting that the bloc's troubles are self-inflicted.

Athawale's Critique of Rahul Gandhi as LoP

The Union Minister also trained his sights on Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, questioning whether Gandhi is discharging the duties of his constitutional role effectively. 'A Leader of the Opposition should cooperate with the government by offering constructive suggestions and guidance on what should be done in the public interest. But Rahul Gandhi keeps on attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attempts to insult and abuse him,' Athawale said.

He claimed that Gandhi's persistent confrontational posture is, paradoxically, hurting his own party. 'By repeatedly opposing the government, he is, in fact, weakening his party,' the minister added, asserting that Gandhi's public image is 'going down' as a result.

UCC Committee and Two-Child Norm Remarks

Responding to questions about Maharashtra's newly formed seven-member committee to draft a Uniform Civil Code, Athawale said he considers a Common Civil Code necessary, citing longstanding disputes between communities. He also called for a two-child family norm, stating that the Muslim community 'too needs to follow this.' He was quick to add that the UCC is 'not against the Muslims.'

Siddhivinayak Temple Probe Demand

Athawale also backed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's allegations of financial irregularities in donations made at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple during former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's tenure. 'A probe similar to that of the Ram Temple embezzlement case should be conducted at the Siddhivinayak Temple as well,' he said. The remarks add a fresh political dimension to an ongoing dispute over temple administration in the state.

Athawale's broadside reflects the NDA's broader strategy of framing Opposition disarray as structural rather than cyclical — a narrative that is likely to intensify ahead of upcoming state electoral cycles.