New Delhi, August 7, 2025 – The INDIA bloc, a coalition of 24 opposition parties, continues to project a united front on national issues despite the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announcing its decision to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections independently. Key leaders, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, have demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address critical concerns in Parliament, particularly regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. This coordinated strategy underscores the bloc’s commitment to holding the government accountable, even as internal differences surface over regional electoral approaches.
AAP’s Independent Stance in Bihar
AAP MP Sanjay Singh clarified that the INDIA bloc was primarily formed for the Lok Sabha elections, and his party’s decision to contest Bihar’s assembly polls independently does not signal a fracture in the alliance’s broader objectives. “The INDIA bloc is only for Lok Sabha polls, and AAP is contesting assembly polls on its own,” Singh stated after an all-party meeting ahead of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session. Despite skipping a key virtual meeting of the bloc, Singh raised concerns over the Bihar SIR, labeling it a “poll scam” that threatens voting rights, and demanded government clarification on Trump’s ceasefire remarks. This move highlights AAP’s intent to maintain its distinct regional strategy while aligning with the opposition on national issues.
Congress and INDIA Bloc’s Demands
Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, have been vocal in demanding Prime Minister Modi’s presence in Parliament to address pressing issues. Gogoi emphasized the need for clarity on the Pahalgam terror attack, the Bihar SIR process, and Trump’s repeated claims—made 24 times, most recently on July 19, 2025—that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “It is incumbent on PM Modi to give a statement in Parliament on the key issues raised by the Congress,” Gogoi said, highlighting concerns that Trump’s assertions, if unchallenged, could undermine India’s sovereign standing in regional security.
The Congress, alongside other INDIA bloc parties like the DMK, Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), submitted a joint letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker requesting a discussion on the Bihar SIR, which they allege could disenfranchise marginalized communities. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh and other leaders, including Pramod Tiwari, have accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of bias, with Tiwari alleging the BJP is using the SIR as a “backdoor NRC” to suppress voter rights.
Operation Sindoor and Trump’s Ceasefire Claims
The opposition has seized on Trump’s controversial statements about brokering a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor, a military operation linked to India-Pakistan tensions. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury noted that such claims, if true, would violate the Shimla Agreement, which prohibits third-party mediation in India-Pakistan matters. The opposition has questioned the government’s silence, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanding transparency. Home Minister Amit Shah, however, dismissed these claims during a Rajya Sabha debate, asserting that the ceasefire was initiated by Pakistan’s military pleading with India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and not through external mediation. “Pakistan, brought to its knees, called our DGMO and pleaded to stop,” Shah said, emphasizing that Prime Minister Modi’s intention was not war but to halt aggression.
Bihar SIR Controversy
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar has emerged as a flashpoint, with the INDIA bloc alleging it is an “attack on democracy.” On July 28, 2025, INDIA bloc MPs, including Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, staged a protest outside Parliament at Makar Dwar, holding banners reading “SIR – Attack on Democracy.” The opposition claims the ECI’s door-to-door voter verification could lead to the exclusion of legitimate voters, particularly from marginalized groups. AAP’s Sanjay Singh called for the SIR exercise to be halted, while Congress MP Naseer Hussain moved a notice in the Rajya Sabha to discuss its implications. In contrast, JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha defended the process, stating, “Our party believes that every citizen must have voting rights,” and cited a campaign to raise awareness about the revision.
Broader Issues and Opposition Strategy
The INDIA bloc’s agenda extends beyond Bihar and Trump’s claims. During a virtual meeting on July 19, 2025, the bloc resolved to raise eight major issues in the Monsoon Session, including the Pahalgam terror attack, foreign policy failures, the Gaza crisis, and atrocities against Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, and minorities. Notably, key leaders like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin were absent from the meeting, but sources indicated an in-person meeting would follow to reinforce unity. The bloc also discussed impeachment motions against Justice Yashwant Varma and Justice Shekhar Yadav, reflecting their focus on judicial accountability.
Government’s Response
The government, represented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal, expressed willingness to discuss “issues of national importance” like Operation Sindoor and Trump’s claims but offered no assurance on debating the Bihar SIR. Prime Minister Modi, during a high-level meeting with senior ministers, including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, prepared for a robust defense of the government’s actions. In a Rajya Sabha address, Shah claimed terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is “on the verge of being eradicated,” citing reduced recruitment of Kashmiri youth into terrorist organizations. However, the opposition continues to press for Modi’s direct response in Parliament.
Conclusion
Despite AAP’s decision to go solo in Bihar, the INDIA bloc remains cohesive in its parliamentary strategy, focusing on critical national issues like the Bihar SIR and Trump’s ceasefire claims. Leaders like Sanjay Singh and Gaurav Gogoi are driving a unified opposition narrative, demanding accountability from the Modi government. As the Monsoon Session progresses, the bloc’s ability to maintain this unity while navigating regional differences will be crucial in challenging the ruling NDA. For further details, refer to trusted sources like The Indian Express or The Times of India
