During a high-level Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in New Delhi, internal discussions took an unexpected turn when senior party leader Digvijaya Singh brought up the departure of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from the opposition coalition. Singh’s remarks regarding the political fallout of the 2024 split prompted an immediate and sharp retort from former Congress President Sonia Gandhigiving insight into the party’s behind-the-scenes assessment of the political shift.

Digvijaya Singh Questions the 2024 Exit Strategy

According to sources cited by NDTVthe CWC meeting was primarily convened to formulate the party’s strategic approach regarding the Election Commission and counter the ruling BJP. However, during the proceedings, Digvijaya Singh remarked that the opposition INDI alliance should not have allowed JDU chief Nitish Kumar to break away ahead of the 2024 general elections, suggesting that the broader political landscape might have looked different if he had stayed.

Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge Dismiss the Remarks

Sonia Gandhi immediately interrupted and dismissed Singh’s assertion, making it clear that the leadership believes Nitish Kumar’s exit was predetermined and ultimately beneficial for the coalition:

Sonia Gandhi’s Response: Asserting that the JDU leader was already looking for an exit strategy, Gandhi stated, “He didn’t want to remain in the Indi alliance. It’s good that he left at the right time. This is what he wanted to do. He was constantly looking for ways to exit the Indi bloc.”

Mallikarjun Kharge Backs the Stance: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed these sentiments, noting that while the topic wasn’t initially on the agenda, Kumar was actively seeking a way out of the bloc all along, dismissing his earlier demands—such as seeking the alliance’s convenorship—as a mere sham.

Background on Nitish Kumar’s Political Realignment

Nitish Kumar had officially severed ties with the opposition grand alliance on January 28, 2024, resigning from his post as Chief Minister under the Mahagathbandhan before swiftly returning to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The recent CWC remarks highlight that the opposition leadership has firmly moved past the split, viewing his departure as an inevitable outcome rather than a strategic misstep by the bloc.