SP dismisses Ajay Rai's 'Banyan tree' remark as Congress' own problem
Synopsis
SP has publicly brushed off UP Congress chief Ajay Rai's claim that Congress is a 'banyan tree' sheltering regional allies — calling it Congress' 'own problem.' The rebuke lands as the INDIA bloc grapples with DMK's absence, CPI-M's grievances, and JMM seat-sharing rows, raising real questions about whether the alliance can hold its shape.
Key Takeaways
SP spokesperson Udaiveer Singh called Ajay Rai's 'banyan tree' remark his personal opinion and Congress' 'own problem' on 10 June .
Ajay Rai had said Congress is a 'banyan tree' that can provide 'shade' to regional parties and urged them to work under its umbrella.
DMK skipped the INDIA bloc meeting on Monday amid a rift with Congress over support for Vijay's TVK in Tamil Nadu .
CPI-M asked Congress to explain its alleged 'deal with BJP' remarks during the Kerala poll campaign.
JMM –Congress differences over Rajya Sabha seat-sharing in Jharkhand were resolved before the meeting.
Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson Udaiveer Singh on Wednesday, 10 June distanced his party from Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai's description of the Indian National Congress (INC) as a 'banyan tree' that can provide 'shade' to regional allies, calling it Rai's personal view and Congress' 'own problem.' The remarks signal fresh friction within the INDIA bloc even as the opposition alliance attempts to project unity.
What Ajay Rai Said
In an earlier interaction, Ajay Rai had stated: 'Congress is a banyan tree. No one will be able to uproot it, nor will anyone be able to weaken it. I would only like to say that regional parties should work together with Congress, and it is that banyan tree which can provide shade to everyone.' The remark implied a hierarchical dynamic within the alliance, positioning Congress as the dominant anchor for regional partners.
SP's Sharp Rebuttal
'Whatever Ajay Rai is saying is his own opinion and this is the Congress' own problem,' Udaiveer Singh said. He pointedly noted that the Samajwadi Party is part of the INDIA bloc where leaders senior to Rai — and even senior to state party presidents — are present at the table. Singh stressed that decisions within the alliance must flow from the central leaderships of both parties, and called for restraint: 'Unnecessary remarks should be avoided, even from our side.'
Fault Lines Across the INDIA Bloc
The SP's pushback comes against a backdrop of widening cracks within the opposition grouping. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) stayed away from the INDIA bloc meeting held on Monday, reportedly over deteriorating relations with Congress after the latter broke with the MK Stalin-led party to back Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu government formation. The TVK itself was not invited to the meeting, as it currently holds no representation in either House of Parliament.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) — CPI-M — attended but had publicly asked Congress to 'clear the air' over its alleged 'deal with the BJP' remarks during the Kerala poll campaign. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress had been at odds over Rajya Sabha seat-sharing in Jharkhand, though that dispute was subsequently resolved before the meeting.
What This Means for the Alliance
The SP's measured but firm response underscores a recurring tension: Congress' framing of itself as the natural 'big brother' of the opposition sits uneasily with regional heavyweights who have their own electoral bases and negotiating leverage. Notably, this is not the first time an SP leader has pushed back against Congress overreach within the bloc. How the central leaderships of both parties navigate these optics ahead of upcoming state elections will be closely watched.
Point of View
With their own mass bases, consistently resist. The SP's response was calibrated: dismissive without being incendiary, a signal that it will not be subordinated rhetorically even while staying inside the bloc. The deeper problem for the INDIA alliance is structural — it lacks a shared decision-making architecture, so every loose remark from a state-level leader becomes a national flashpoint. With DMK out, CPI-M restless, and JMM barely patched up, the bloc's unity is increasingly performative rather than operational.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ajay Rai say about Congress being a banyan tree?
UP Congress President Ajay Rai said Congress is a 'banyan tree' that cannot be uprooted or weakened, and urged regional parties to work alongside it as it can provide 'shade' to everyone. The remark implied Congress sees itself as the dominant anchor of the INDIA bloc.
How did the Samajwadi Party respond to Ajay Rai's remark?
SP spokesperson Udaiveer Singh called the remark Rai's personal opinion and described it as Congress' 'own problem.' He noted that INDIA bloc leaders far senior to Rai are part of the alliance and stressed that both parties' central leaderships must drive decisions.
Why did DMK skip the INDIA bloc meeting?
The DMK stayed away from the Monday INDIA bloc meeting reportedly due to strained relations with Congress after Congress backed Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) over the DMK in Tamil Nadu government formation. TVK was also not invited, as it has no parliamentary representation.
What other tensions exist within the INDIA bloc?
CPI-M publicly asked Congress to clarify alleged 'deal with BJP' remarks made during the Kerala poll campaign. Separately, JMM and Congress were at odds over Rajya Sabha seat-sharing in Jharkhand, though that dispute was resolved ahead of the bloc meeting.
Is the Samajwadi Party still part of the INDIA bloc?
Yes. Udaiveer Singh explicitly reaffirmed that SP remains an integral part of the INDIA bloc, while calling for discipline in public statements from all sides.
