Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has asserted that the INDIA bloc remains intact and has a bright future, though internal discussions are necessary.
Speaking to IANS, Sibal dismissed any notion of the alliance falling apart.
"It has a very bright future. There is no such issue. This was a national alliance, as Sharad Pawar Ji said. During national elections, the alliance remains intact. However, at the state level, there is no national alliance as such," he explained.
Sibal also responded to Congress leader Tariq Anwar’s recent remarks questioning his party’s leadership and calling for fundamental changes.
Acknowledging the validity of Anwar’s concerns, Sibal pointed out that such discussions should have happened earlier.
"I believe there is some truth in what Tariq Anwar Sahab has said. However, this question should have been raised when Kejriwal Ji was fielding candidates, whether in Haryana, Goa, Gujarat, or Karnataka. Nevertheless, this issue must be discussed," he said.
When asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to contest the upcoming elections alone, Sibal refrained from commenting directly.
"I have no comments on that. They will decide among themselves. These are mature and responsible leaders, and they will sit together and determine the way forward," he remarked.
His statements come at a time when the INDIA bloc faces challenges, with Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, part of the INDIA bloc charting its own course in Bengal and Congress leaders questioning internal strategies.
Earlier the Trinamool Congress chief on Monday blamed the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress for the failure of the Opposition in Delhi and Haryana Assembly elections, ruling out the possibility of having any alliance with the grand old party for the 2026 West Bengal polls.
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 32 Tamil fishermen, five boats seized
The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 32 fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Lankan waters.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails ISRO's century in rocket launches, urges people to dedicate a day for science
Addressing the 119th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation, saying it has hit the century in space. Last month, the country witnessed the ISRO's 100th rocket launch.
Mizoram student stabbed to death in Kerala, batchmate arrested
A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram was stabbed to death near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased, Valentine, was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagaroor.
Italy PM slams Left's double standards, says when Trump, Meloni, Modi talk, they are called threat to democracy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused left-wing politicians of being "nervous" over former US President Donald Trump's victory, claiming that conservatives are unfairly labelled as a "threat to democracy" while leftist leaders are celebrated for similar global alliances.
NDRF intensifies rescue operation to save 8 trapped in Telangana tunnel
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on Sunday intensified rescue efforts to save eight persons trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a portion of its roof collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on February 22.
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.
PM Modi on 3-day visit to MP, Bihar, Assam from today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from February 23 to 25 to participate in several developmental projects and inaugurate business summits.
US senators call out China for 'weaponising' UN 1971 resolution, vow support to Taiwan
The United States Senators accused China of subverting United Nations Resolution 2758 in an attempt to isolate Taiwan. The senators proposed a resolution in the Senate reaffirming US support for Taiwan. The resolution opposes China's attempt to prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations.