New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) The 79th birthday of Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, became an unexpected demonstration of strength for the INDIA Bloc on Tuesday. Senior figures from various opposition parties convened at the Parliament Complex in New Delhi.

The gathering included Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and a host of notable MPs, signifying a rare public show of unity as the alliance seeks to regain its political momentum.

Among the prominent Congress leaders present were Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, and Deepender Hooda.

In a noteworthy political gesture, Akhilesh Yadav, president of the Samajwadi Party, attended with his wife and MP Dimple Yadav, along with MPs Zia Ur Rehman, Mohibbullah, and others. This appearance highlighted a renewed collaboration between Congress and SP following recent tensions.

This event follows a major setback for the INDIA Bloc in the Bihar Assembly elections, where the RJD-Congress-Left alliance faced a significant defeat, while the BJP-JDU coalition secured a strong mandate. This loss raised concerns regarding coordination, messaging, and the overall viability of the bloc as a united political entity.

Furthermore, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) made critical remarks months ago regarding seat allocation and management of the INDIA Bloc, heightening anxieties about the stability of alliances within Maharashtra and the prospects for the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

The symbolic gathering of senior opposition leaders on Tuesday aimed to counter such perceptions.

With assembly elections on the horizon in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry, the visuals of united INDIA Bloc leaders hold strategic importance. Although the parties have differing views on seat-sharing in various states and are likely to encounter local rivalries, the leadership is eager to portray the coalition as operational.

For Congress, Sonia Gandhi's birthday served as a moment to reaffirm her status as a unifying figure.