The Karnataka High Court’s dismissal of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the Governor’s permission for prosecution in the multi-crore Mysore Urban Land Development (MUDA) scam is more than just a legal defeat—it’s a political embarrassment for the Congress party. This verdict deals a significant blow to the broader INDIA alliance, comprising 26 parties, many of which are already reeling from controversies surrounding their leaders. This setback for Siddaramaiah comes in the wake of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘forced’ resignation, following the Supreme Court’s directives. While granting him bail in the Delhi Excise Policy scam, the Court restricted him from attending the Secretariat or signing any official files, leaving him politically paralyzed. These developments cast a long shadow over the alliance’s claims of integrity and ethical governance, as multiple prominent figures within it face legal scrutiny. Now, all eyes are on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who may soon find herself in a similar position. The Supreme Court has taken up the ghastly gang rape case of Abhaya at RR Kar Government College and Hospital suo moto and has found glaring inconsistencies in how the Mamata Banerjee-led government has handled the case. The situation has been compounded by the actions of her administration, raising concerns about governance and the rule of law in West Bengal. The Supreme Court’s three-member bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has expressed serious concerns during its hearings based on the CBI’s investigation status reports. Although the case remains sub judice, available facts indicate that Mamata Banerjee’s handling of the case is under sharp scrutiny.
As the state’s Chief Minister as well as the holder of the critical Health and Home portfolios, Banerjee cannot shirk responsibility for the chaos that unfolded. While she did suspend the hospital superintendent and remove the City Police Commissioner, these actions appear more like damage control after a 7,000-strong mob raided the hospital, destroyed evidence, and attacked the agitating doctors. Her initial reluctance to hand over the investigation to central agencies despite public pressure further damaged her credibility. It was only after the West Bengal High Court intervened that the case was handed over to the CBI. However, by then, much of the damage had been done, with crucial evidence being lost or destroyed. The state government’s mishandling of this high-profile case, and the subsequent violence, only adds to the long list of administrative failings under Banerjee’s rule. Mamata Banerjee, known for her fiery rhetoric, has often demanded accountability from others, most recently targeting the Manipur Chief Minister for the ongoing ethnic violence in his state. However, her governance in West Bengal is marred by repeated scandals and a lack of accountability. The fact that she offered to resign amidst mounting criticism only to stage what many perceived as a theatrical display further highlights her reluctance to face the consequences of her actions. Her governance, or lack thereof, has been repeatedly questioned, with multiple scams rocking the state during her tenure. The judiciary has frequently had to step in, whether to grant permissions for opposition rallies or to override her administration’s selective application of law and order—often seen as favouring one community over another. The INDIA alliance has already seen cracks with the humiliation faced by AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, who has been labelled the ‘Kingpin’ in the Delhi Excise Policy scam. His forced resignation has severely dented the credibility of the alliance. With Siddaramaiah of Karnataka now facing legal trouble and Mamata Banerjee potentially in line to follow, the integrity of the INDIA bloc is under question. Much will depend on the Supreme Court’s October 1 hearing in the Abhaya case, which could further complicate Banerjee’s political future.
The formation of the INDIA bloc was marketed as a coalition to protect democratic values and provide an alternative to the ruling BJP. However, public perception increasingly views it as a protective shield for leaders accused of corruption and malfeasance. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, a key ally in the bloc, and his family face numerous corruption charges. Lalu himself has served prison time, and now, all members of his family are out on bail. Congress leaders, including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi, and son-in-law Robert Vadra, are embroiled in several legal battles, with all three out on bail. Against this backdrop, the INDIA bloc’s opposition to the government, even when it appears to contradict national interest, seems less about policy differences and more about self-preservation. With elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, the INDIA alliance’s credibility is on the line. The failure to effectively manage their internal crises, coupled with the looming legal challenges for some of their most prominent leaders, casts doubt on the future of this fragile coalition. What began as a bold initiative to counter the BJP now looks like a desperate attempt by embattled leaders to protect themselves from accountability. As these legal battles unfold, it remains to be seen whether the INDIA alliance can withstand the mounting pressure or whether its foundations, already shaky, will crumble further under the weight of scandal. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this coalition can present itself as a credible alternative or if its internal conflicts will render it politically irrelevant.
