Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Why Congress and Opposition Allies Remain Divided Against BJP
The article asks why groups opposing the BJP do not work together more closely.
It says Congress is the biggest opposition party, but it has its own problems and history.
Some protest groups want a fresh start, while Congress often talks about returning to earlier liberal values.
Regional parties have different goals and may worry that a stronger Congress would take votes from them.
The groups also disagree about issues such as caste, minority politics and how strongly to challenge the government.
They do not always use the same language or protest methods.
The article compares these divisions with disagreements among opponents of the government during the JP movement of the 1970s.
Its central point is that shared opposition has not been enough to create lasting unity.
A Congress protest video from Delhi echoed a gesture used at earlier Cockroach Janta Party protests.
The article argues that Congress has not formally or informally supported the CJP-led protests.
It says Congress seeks a broad liberal alternative to the BJP, while regional allies have different priorities and approaches.
The article attributes opposition divisions partly to regional parties’ concern that a stronger Congress could cost them electoral support.
It argues that disagreements over caste, minority politics, nationalism and protest tactics make unity difficult.
- Who
- Congress, the Cockroach Janta Party, and other opposition parties and groups.
- What
- An opinion article examines why opposition forces against the BJP remain divided.
- When
- The article refers to a Congress protest on Wednesday, October 7, and to political developments since 2014.
- Where
- Delhi, with discussion of opposition politics across India.
- Why
- The article attributes the divisions to competing political goals, electoral insecurity, and disagreements over ideology, identity and protest strategy.
Congress and broader opposition
Regional allies and distinct protest groups
What opposition politics should prioritize
Congress and broader opposition
The article says Congress, under Rahul Gandhi, emphasizes ideological arguments and a liberal alternative to the BJP-led regime.
Regional allies and distinct protest groups
It says regional allies often rely on Mandal and minority politics, while the CJP advocates a break from the past and mobilizes younger people.
Whether to align closely with Congress
Congress and broader opposition
Congress is presented as seeking a wider opposition force and as having the largest national footprint.
Regional allies and distinct protest groups
The article says regional parties may be wary of Congress because its electoral recovery could come at their expense; it also says the CJP protests have not received Congress support.
How to challenge the BJP
Congress and broader opposition
The article describes Congress as pursuing its own path and cites Rahul Gandhi’s use of the word “treason” and the party’s “vote chori” allegations.
Regional allies and distinct protest groups
It says some allies favor a more cautious approach, fearing that aggressive election-fraud allegations could strengthen majority support for the BJP.
- Article format
- Opinion analysis
- Protest location
- Chhatrasal Stadium, Delhi
- Protest date stated
- Wednesday, October 7; no year is specified
- Congress figure mentioned
- Priyanka Gandhi appeared in the protest video
- Earlier protest reference
- Cockroach Janta Party protests at Jantar Mantar in July
- Historical comparison
- The opposition divisions during the JP movement of the 1970s
- Author
- Srinivasaraju, identified as a senior journalist and author