• Source:JND
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INDIA bloc is preparing in full swing to snatch victory from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, however, there are so many hurdles the Opposition's alliance is yet to cross. While Congress witnessed a major jolt on Sunday as party's Delhi Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely tendered his resignation, Sunita Kejriwal has been holding roadshows in the absence of her husband Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in jail in a money laundering case.

Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned from the party, saying that the "ideals they had been fighting for during the last seven to eight years" were being compromised. In a letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Lovely expressed concern over Congress forming an alliance with AAP despite several AAP ministers being in jail. Lovely said even though the Delhi Congress unit was against the alliance with AAP, he publicly backed it and even withdrew his name as a potential candidate.

"The Delhi Congress unit was against an alliance with a party which was formed on the sole basis of levelling false, fabricated and mala fide corruption charges against the Congress party... half of the cabinet ministers (of the party) are presently in jail on corruption charges," he said.

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For the INDIA bloc, the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal nearly a month ahead of the beginning of the Lok Sabha elections, is also a setback. Kejriwal has been running the government from behind.

Arvind Kejriwal In Jail, Wife Sunita Holds Roadshow

With Arvind Kejriwal lodged in Tihar jail, wife Sunita has taken the charge of holding the roadshows amid the election campaigning. Sunita has been actively addressing rallies, meeting the allies, and coordinating with the party leaders. The arrest of Kejriwal right ahead of the polls can become a stone in the way of victory of the INDIA bloc.

Infight Among INDIA bloc Leaders

One of the major challenges that the INDIA bloc is yet to solve is the infight among the leaders of the party. There have been several incidents that gave the BJP an opportunity to point a finger at the unity of the Opposition's bloc. The most recent example is Arvinder Singh Lovely resigning from the party. The Delhi Congress unit was against the alliance with AAP but the party high command went ahead with it, Lovely said as his resignation brought to the fore the party's factional feud.

Nitish Kumar Joins Hand With NDA

In January, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar broke ties with the INDIA alliance and joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Kumar, who was a key figure in the Opposition's alliance switched sides a few months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. This may have an impact on the vote-sharing of the Indian bloc in the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar.

Mamata Banerjee Allges Congress, CPI (M) Helping BJP In Bengal

Ever since the formation of the INDIA bloc, there have been several instances when West Bengal chief Mamata Banerjee had a different stand, not aligning with her allies. She has reiterated on many occasions that her party Trinamool Congress (TMC) will fight alone in her state and she won't compromise in seat-sharing.

Recently, on Sunday, she alleged that the Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP in the state. Addressing an election rally in Bengal she said, "We don't have any alliance in Bengal with Congress. Here the CPI-M is having an alliance with Congress. Both are hand-in gloves with BJP and if you (voters) cast a vote for Congress or CPI(M) that tantamounts to cutting the anti-BJP vote share and helping Narendra Modi. Congress and CPI(M) are the two eyes of BJP in this state."

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Looking at the current scenario, it seems like there is a lot more to work on for the INDIA bloc than just fighting the ruling government. Before it moves another step forward to winning the Lok Sabha elections, it should take a while and cross the above-mentioned hurdles.