Gyanesh Kumar row exposes INDIA bloc rift: DMK, AAP skip meet, Akhilesh sends representative

Several parties within the INDIA bloc are scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss a joint strategy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) row and a possible move to seek the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following an explosive investigative media report.

AAP to skip meeting, back resolution against Kumar

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is in power in Punjab and is the Opposition in Delhi, has decided to skip the meeting but will support any resolution seeking Kumar's resignation.

The party's decision comes amid the Opposition's efforts to build a united front over the SIR exercise and the allegations raised in the investigative report concerning the Election Commission.

DMK distances itself from INDIA bloc

Congress' former ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has also decided not to attend the meeting.

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the party no longer considers itself a part of the INDIA bloc after the Congress allegedly dumped the party and allied with actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) following a fractured mandate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, CNN-News18 reported.

However, the DMK has made it clear that it remains opposed to the BJP, which is yet to emerge as a major political force in Tamil Nadu.

Akhilesh Yadav to skip, SP to send representative

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav will also not attend the meeting, with the party citing his pre-scheduled political programmes related to the Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.

The SP, however, will send a representative to the meeting.

The development comes as the seat-sharing arrangement between the SP and Congress for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections is yet to be finalised.

So, is there a “wholesale boycott”?

No. The meeting is still being attended by several major Opposition parties, including Congress, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, RJD, National Conference, Left parties, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT), among others.

AAP, DMK and BJD are staying away from the meeting, while SP is participating through representatives.

AAP staying away does not mean they are refusing to cooperate on the Gyanesh Kumar issue as the party has agreed to support the proposed removal motion.

Why does Akhilesh's skip mean a lot? 

1. Akhilesh's SP is the second largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, only behind Congress. His personal presence at an Opposition coordination meeting carries more political weight than sending a lower-level representative.

2. SP is the primary opposition player in Uttar Pradesh. The party's relationship with Congress is particularly relevant because Congress and SP are discussing their arrangements for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

3. The meeting is about Opposition unity. Since the purpose is to formulate a common strategy on the SIR issue and the Gyanesh Kumar controversy, the absence of a major Opposition leader can attract attention.