Mumbai Test of Opposition: Day 2

The Mumbai Summit of the I.N.D.I.A. Bloc: More Smoke Than Fire?

Photo-Op or Photo-Opp? (Pic by PTI)

No Earth-Shattering Announcements

In yesterday's column, we delved into the unfolding of the opening day of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc summit in Mumbai¹. Today, we turn our attention towards the concluding events of the second day. If you had your eyes peeled for earth-shattering revelations that would radically alter the landscape of Indian politics, you might need to hold your breath for a while longer. The summit wrapped up with no monumental announcements. While this may disappoint some, it's worth noting that such seismic shifts were neither anticipated nor promised.

Unfulfilled Promises and Emerging Divides

Despite the ambitious agenda laid out ahead of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc summit, there were glaring omissions in its execution. Most notably, the bloc neither designated a "Convenor" nor did it reveal its anticipated "Logo," both of which had been announced as key deliverables during the media curtain-raiser on the evening of August 30th. Adding to the complexity were palpable differences over the question of a "caste census," a divisive issue that brought to the fore the bloc's internal fractures. Even within this congregation of opposition parties, united ostensibly by common objectives, the matter revealed just how deeply entrenched social factors can disrupt cohesion.

The Coordination Committee: A Powerhouse or Just a Placeholder?

In a calculated bid to streamline their political approach, the summit, however managed to unveil a 14-member Coordination Committee. Spearheaded by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, the committee is also consigned the crucial task of shaping the bloc's election strategy. Barring a few exceptions, the committee is a veritable lineup of Indian politics' second string: KC Venugopal (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), TR Baalu (DMK), Hemant Soren (JMM), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Raghav Chadha (AAP), Javed Ali Khan (Samajwadi Party), Lalan Singh (JDU), D Raja (CPI), Omar Abdullah (National Conference), and Mehbooba Mufti (PDP).

While this announcement initially created a buzz, political analysts were quick to temper the enthusiasm. Many wondered if this ensemble of mostly second-tier leaders even possesses the clout or authority to make impactful decisions for their respective parties. Skepticism prevails as to whether this Coordination Committee can do more than just cobble together an agenda for future discussions, ideally in a summit where the top leadership is present.

While the summit did lead to the establishment of specialized working groups focused on social media, media relations, and research, along with a campaign committee, these achievements were somewhat overshadowed. The summit's inability to appoint a "Convenor" and the perceived lack of dynamism in the Coordination Committee diminished the impact of these organizational strides.

Spotlight Stolen? 'One Country, One Election' Rumours Overshadow Summit's Closing Day

As the I.N.D.I.A. bloc summit reached its concluding day, the media spotlight seemed partially diverted by an entirely different subject: rumours about the Central Government's "One Country, One Election" proposal. With the 5-day Special Session of Parliament looming from September 18-22, conjecture about this potentially revolutionary electoral reform began to gain momentum.The rumours undeniably split the media focus, causing the summit's concluding events to share the public's attention with this hotly debated topic. The Special Session's mere speculation appears to have partially eclipsed the summit's final act, making one wonder if this was an orchestrated move or mere coincidence. Either way, it added an extra layer of complexity to the political narrative, pulling focus away from the opposition's Mumbai extravaganza.

Group Photo of today: Pic by PTI.

Political Pageantry: The Drama Behind the Group Photo

In the world of politics, where perception often triumphs over reality, even a seemingly innocuous group photo can become a stage for subtle power plays and ego tussles. At the I.N.D.I.A. bloc summit, the atmosphere was charged with an undercurrent of tension during the formal photo-op session. Behind the smiles and handshakes, there was a palpable undercurrent of discord regarding who would take the coveted front-row positions. Was the arrangement to be alphabetical, potentially placing AAP awkwardly in the middle? Or should it be according to each Party's strength in the Lok Sabha, a clear indicator of political muscle?

The scramble for front-row spots was not merely an exercise in optics but seemed to be a microcosm of the greater struggle within the alliance: who leads and who follows? As the cameras clicked, the unspoken yet glaring questions loomed—whose stature, both literal and political, warranted a front-row seat? Leaders seemed to vie not just for physical space but also for symbolic prominence, adding yet another layer of complexity to the summit's interpersonal dynamics. While the leaders managed to put on a united front for the cameras, those behind the scenes could sense an atmosphere of rivalry and ambition, reflecting the broader challenges the alliance may face in the days to come.

Candid Moments in Closed Rooms

In a hushed, off-the-record conversation behind closed doors, a high-ranking leader from the opposition divulged an interesting tidbit. Apparently, junior BJP leaders have been throwing around snarky comments in political circles, suggesting the alliance is like a car with "neither a road nor a roadmap, but 28 aspiring drivers." Quick to retort, an opposition party supremo snapped back with an impassioned response that seemed to sum up the alliance's underdog ethos. "That's precisely the point—Good for us! We're the ones truly representing the common Indian citizen. We don't need paved roads or luxury cars; we're ready to meet the people where they are, even if it means going barefoot where no road exists." And he wound up his remark with a tagline that is already serving as the alliance's rallying cry: "Judega Bharat. Jeetega INDIA (जुडेगा भारत, जीतेगा इंडिया)."

Absence Speaks Louder: The Missing Pieces in the I.N.D.I.A. Bloc Puzzle

In any alliance, especially one as high-stakes as this, who isn't in the room can be just as telling as who is. At the I.N.D.I.A. bloc summit, the absence of certain regional leaders loomed large, subtly altering the dynamics of the gathering. On one hand, some of the absentees are regional heavyweights whose political clout is such that they find themselves in the enviable position of being wooed by both the ruling party and the opposition alliance. Their absence raises questions about the eventual alignment they might choose and the impact it could have on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

On the other hand, there are those leaders who once held significant sway but now seem to be fading from relevance, their stars dimming in the ever-changing constellation of Indian politics. Their absence might not be a matter of choice but rather an indicator of their dwindling political significance. They've become pale shadows of their former vibrant selves, retreating from a game they no longer dominate.

Though names were left unspoken, the room was filled with the unvoiced awareness of these missing pieces. Their absence didn't just mark them; it also outlined the shape and limitations of the present alliance. Each empty chair at the summit symbolized both an opportunity and a challenge that could ultimately determine the success or failure of this nascent coalition.

Photo: PTI

Meanwhile, in the Capital

As opposition leaders huddled in Mumbai, grappling with their collective political future, another spectacle was unfolding in the corridors of power in New Delhi. The Central Government is in overdrive, putting the finishing touches on the New Delhi Summit of G-20 leaders scheduled for September 9 and 10. This isn't just another summit; it's the grand finale of India's G-20 Presidency, which will soon be transferred to another nation. The objective is unambiguous: to showcase Prime Minister Narendra Modi as not just a national leader, but a global statesman who has propelled India from diplomatic obscurity to a respected position at the global high table. The subtext is clear—while the opposition deliberates, the ruling party is busy setting an agenda not just for India, but potentially for the world.

Next Up: The Theatre of Parliament

With the curtain soon to rise on a 5-day Special Session of Parliament, running from September 18-22, the Indian political landscape is bracing for yet another round of fervent discussions, confrontations, and potentially, revelations. Although the precise agenda for this unexpected gathering remains enveloped in an almost theatrical suspense, one can reasonably anticipate that it will produce more rhetorical fireworks than illuminating insights. Political pundits and the public alike are on tenterhooks, speculating wildly on what key issues will be tabled. But one thing is certain: in this high-stakes game, the heat will rise significantly, perhaps casting more shadows than shedding light on the complex dynamics that drive the world's largest democracy.

Concluding Notes

As the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections slowly unfurls, we're clearly in for a no-holds-barred contest. With both sides willing to pull out all the stops, it promises to be the largest-ever election in the history of not just Indian democracy but the world. And irrespective of which side emerges victorious, the ultimate win will be for "We, the People."

There you have it. The Mumbai Summit may not have rattled the foundations of Indian politics, but it has certainly laid the groundwork for an intriguing drama that's yet to unfold. Adding another layer to the unfolding narrative, the bloc is expected to kickstart its campaign from Rajghat on 2nd October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Given that Gandhi ji's memorial is usually sealed off for official celebrations and tributes during the early morning of this significant day, this choice of location could serve as yet another potential flashpoint, if not a direct confrontation, with the Modi government. Stay tuned!

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