Overview

• Rahul Gandhi’s July 18 speech in Kottayam framed both the RSS and CPI(M) as ideological foes with “no feelings for the people,” prompting concern among alliance partners.
• CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby labelled the comparison “unfortunate” and said it revealed a lack of understanding of the parties’ roles at both state and national levels.
• At the July 20 virtual meeting, CPI leader D. Raja and CPI(M) MP John Brittas warned that equating Left parties with the RSS could confuse cadres and undermine solidarity, while RSP’s N. K. Premchandran defended Gandhi’s observation as factual.
• Despite discord, the INDIA bloc finalised its Monsoon Session strategy to jointly spotlight security lapses—including the Pahalgam terror attack—and challenge Bihar’s special electoral roll revision.
• The alliance also confirmed dates for a protest march at Jantar Mantar on July 23-24 to press for voter list safeguards.