Samajwadi Party Absent from Congress-Hosted INDIA Bloc Lunch in Delhi

The Samajwadi Party (SP) did not attend a lunch hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday for members of the INDIA opposition alliance who were protesting in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The absence marked a visible departure within the broader anti-government coalition, which has been coordinating joint actions since its formation. The SP's decision to skip the meal came less than 24 hours after its lawmakers diverged from the main opposition contingent during a march from Parliament to Akashvani Bhavan, breaking ranks to conduct their own protest activity separately.

The development underscores emerging fissures within the INDIA bloc as constituent parties navigate their individual political strategies while maintaining their formal alliance status. The Congress-led gathering aimed to strengthen coordination among opposition parties engaged in the ongoing agitation demanding the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, whose tenure has drawn criticism from several quarters.

While the INDIA bloc has positioned itself as a unified front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Wednesday's incidents highlight the strains that can emerge when partner parties pursue divergent tactical approaches. The SP's absence from the lunch suggests potential tensions over decision-making and strategy within the coalition structure.