Leadership fight in India's opposition bloc raises doubts on Modi challenge

Bid to wrest control from Congress comes amid party's poor showing in state polls

- Nirmala Ganapathy

NEW DELHI - When Prime Minister Narendra Modi fell short of a majority in the 2024 General Election, expectations were high that India would see the return of a strong opposition, once a hallmark of the country's democracy.

In Mr Modi's first two terms, his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won landslide electoral victories that ensured political dominance in the country's Parliament.

But to secure a third term in power, the strongman leader had to rely on the support of allies in the face of a resurgent opposition that outperformed expectations in the election, putting him in an unfamiliar position.

A mere five months after the election, however, Mr Modi appears to be on firmer footing and the opposition on the back foot.

Infighting has broken out in the opposition alliance, known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (India), over leadership of the bloc, posing a question about its ability to effectively counter the BJP, a well-oiled and disciplined political entity.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a mercurial politician and leader of the Trinamool Congress, has suggested that she should lead the alliance, replacing Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Congress, whose power centre remains Mr Rahul Gandhi of the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty, is the largest party in the coalition.

Ms Banerjee's leadership bid surprisingly found support from other parties, including regional satrap and long-time Gandhi family ally Lalu Prasad Yadav, chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar state.

"I am indebted to everyone for the respect they have shown to me. I also want India to stay well," Ms Banerjee said at an event on Dec 11 in response to the support within the alliance.