DMK boycotts INDIA bloc meeting over Congress 'betrayal' in Tamil Nadu
The DMK, a key opposition party in India's INDIA bloc, announced it will boycott the alliance's June 8, 2026 meeting in New Delhi, protesting Congress's post-election alliance with the TVK in Tamil Nadu, which the DMK calls a 'betrayal.' The move deepens internal tensions within the opposition coalition, weakening its unity against the ruling BJP. The BJP has declared the bloc 'dead and buried,' while other parties like the Trinamool Congress plan to attend.
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INDIA bloc opposition leaders meet in Delhi to forge unity and redraw strategy
On June 8, 2026, leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc convened in New Delhi to strengthen unity and rework their strategy against the BJP-led government. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge opened the meeting by criticizing the economic environment as 'extremely negative,' citing insufficient new investments for job creation. He also accused the government of using investigative agencies to harass political opponents and mismanaging the examination system, affecting youth aspirations. The meeting saw attendance from top opposition figures including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav, while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray joined virtually. The DMK boycotted the meeting over a dispute with Congress. Leaders emphasized the need to safeguard democratic values and build a 'bandhu rashtra' (fraternal nation). The bloc aims to carry forward the spirit of unity demonstrated during the April 17, 2026 Lok Sabha session when they jointly defeated delimitation bills.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.INDIA Bloc Meeting Reveals Deep Divisions Amid BJP Pressure
The INDIA bloc, a coalition of 23 Indian opposition parties, held a meeting in New Delhi on June 8, 2026, against a backdrop of economic distress, inflation, and educational sector chaos. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced five key decisions: writing to the Chief Justice of India over electoral fraud concerns, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling for an all-party meeting on the economic crisis, scheduling bimonthly coordination meetings (next in Hyderabad in August), and committing to daily parliamentary coordination. However, the meeting was overshadowed by significant absences and internal fractures. The DMK formally boycotted after a fallout over Tamil Nadu elections, and the AAP declared it was no longer part of the bloc. The TMC faces internal challenges after electoral defeat in Bengal, and Left-Congress relations have soured. Despite these divisions, participants broadly agreed that countering the BJP is essential for their political survival and that the Congress remains the unavoidable pivot of any credible opposition formation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.INDIA Bloc Meeting Begins in New Delhi Amid Internal Disarray
The opposition INDIA bloc meeting commenced in New Delhi on June 8, 2026, with Congress leaders attempting to project unity despite internal disarray. Key opposition figures including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Omar Abdullah attended in person, while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray joined virtually. Congress chief Kharge highlighted the bloc's solidarity in defeating the Modi government's delimitation bills in April 2026. However, the coalition faces significant cracks: the DMK boycotted the meeting over Congress's alliance with the TVK in Tamil Nadu, the CPI(M) criticized Congress's campaign against the Left in Kerala, and the JMM is unhappy with Congress's unilateral Rajya Sabha candidate announcement in Jharkhand. Despite these tensions, Congress asserted that 23 parties would participate and that even absent members conveyed strong opposition to the Modi government's policies.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.23 Parties Confirm Participation in INDIA Bloc Meeting Amid Internal Strains
The Congress party announced that 23 political parties have confirmed participation in the 'INDIA janbandhan' meeting scheduled for June 8, 2026, in New Delhi. The opposition bloc aims to deliberate on a future course of action targeting the 2029 general elections and devise a joint strategy to challenge the Modi government on national issues. However, the meeting occurs amid significant internal tensions: the DMK is boycotting over allegations of Congress 'betrayal' in Tamil Nadu, the CPI(M) has expressed displeasure over Congress leaders' claims of a Left-BJP collusion in Kerala, and the AAP has publicly distanced itself. The gathering is seen as an effort to deepen coordination after recent assembly election losses for key allies TMC and DMK in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.BJP says INDIA bloc dead and buried after DMK boycotts meeting over Congress-TVK alliance
On June 5, 2026, the BJP declared the opposition INDIA bloc 'dead and buried,' existing only on paper, after the DMK announced it would boycott the alliance's June 8 meeting in New Delhi. The DMK's decision stems from its opposition to the Congress party's alliance with the TVK, which won the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress of betraying its allies, citing the DMK's refusal to attend and the Samajwadi Party's plan to contest all 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh alone. He argued the alliance was driven by opportunism, not a common mission, and noted that its parties are rivals in several states like West Bengal, Kerala, and Punjab. The DMK confirmed it would skip the meeting to respect cadre sentiments hurt by the Congress's actions.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.INDIA Bloc to Meet on June 8 Amid Internal Strains; DMK and Trinamool to Attend
Leaders of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Indian opposition parties, are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on June 8, 2026, in an effort to project unity despite internal strains. The meeting is expected to be attended by 17 opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the DMK. However, the DMK is upset with the Congress party after it broke its alliance in Tamil Nadu to join the government with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). This has led to tensions, with DMK Lok Sabha leader K. Kanimozhi requesting separate seating from Congress in Parliament. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which left the bloc a year ago, is unlikely to attend. The meeting is seen as a bid to counter the BJP, which holds 37% of the vote, and to strategize on issues like the Election Commission and economic slowdown. The last top-level meeting of the bloc was in December 2023.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.DMK to Boycott June 8 INDIA Bloc Meeting Over Congress 'Betrayal'
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a key regional party in India's opposition INDIA bloc, has announced it will boycott the alliance's meeting scheduled for June 8 in New Delhi. The decision, attributed to a perceived 'betrayal' by the Congress party, represents a significant setback for the opposition coalition as it seeks to consolidate against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of national elections. The DMK's absence underscores internal tensions within the bloc, potentially weakening its collective bargaining power and strategic coordination. The specific nature of the alleged betrayal has not been detailed in the brief report, but the move signals growing friction between the DMK and Congress, two major partners in the alliance.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.DMK to Boycott June 8 INDIA Bloc Meeting Over Congress 'Betrayal'
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) announced on June 4, 2026, that it will boycott the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting scheduled for June 8 in New Delhi. The decision stems from the Congress party's post-election actions in Tamil Nadu, where Congress won five seats as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance but then unilaterally broke ties with the DMK to join the TVK-led coalition government. The DMK described this as a 'betrayal' that has deeply hurt its cadres. In a strongly-worded statement, the DMK emphasized its historical role as a central force in the INDIA bloc and its consistent opposition to policies threatening democracy, secularism, and state rights. While boycotting the meeting, the DMK affirmed it remains committed to broader opposition solidarity on national issues and will continue to raise its voice alongside other member parties.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.DMK withdraws from June 8 INDIA alliance meeting to protest Congress 'betrayal'
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a key ally in India's opposition INDIA bloc, has announced its withdrawal from a scheduled June 8 meeting of the alliance. The move is a protest against what the DMK describes as a 'betrayal' by the Congress party. The decision deals a significant blow to the opposition coalition's unity efforts ahead of upcoming elections. The specific nature of the alleged betrayal has not been detailed in the summary, but the DMK's action signals deepening tensions within the alliance, potentially weakening its collective stance against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Indian Express reports this as a major setback for opposition coordination.
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