Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Thursday expressed doubts about the unity of the India bloc opposition alliance, saying he was unsure if it remained intact. Speaking at the launch of the book Contesting Democratic Deficit by Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav, Chidambaram remarked that the alliance appeared to be showing signs of strain.

He said, "The future of the India bloc doesn't look very promising, as Mritunjay Singh Yadav mentioned. While he believes the alliance is still united, I am uncertain. Only Salman Khurshid, who was part of the negotiating team for the India bloc, can confirm this. If the alliance is indeed intact, I would be very pleased. However, it clearly shows signs of fraying." The Rajya Sabha MP expressed hope that the alliance could still be revived, adding, "there's still time to bring it together."

Chidambaram also warned that the India bloc faces a tough challenge against a "formidable machinery"—the BJP—which he described as being uniquely well-organized and powerful. "In my experience and understanding of history, no political party is as formidably organized as the BJP. It’s more than just a political party; it’s a machine behind another machine controlling many institutions in India. From the Election Commission to the lowest police station, the BJP exerts influence or control over these bodies. It’s a formidable system, as much as democracy allows," he said.

The book by Khurshid and Yadav discusses Congress's revival efforts before last year’s Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the emotionally resonant Bharat Jodo Yatra and the historic formation of the India bloc, which united diverse political forces. The authors recount how opposition parties came together to uphold the vision of an inclusive and pluralistic India.

Chidambaram emphasized that Indian elections remain resilient despite challenges. "While interference and manipulation may occur, elections in India cannot be outrightly undermined. No ruling party can secure 98 percent of the votes—that simply isn’t possible here," he said. He warned that if the 2029 general elections further consolidate BJP’s power, the country would be beyond repair. "The 2029 elections are crucial and must restore full democracy," he stressed.

Agreeing with Chidambaram, Khurshid acknowledged problems within the India bloc that require urgent attention. "We must address these concerns. Chidambaram’s comments remind us that we need to prepare for a major battle in 2029, focusing on uniting alliance partners," the former foreign minister said. He added that opposition parties need a broader vision to achieve a significant electoral turnaround. "If we only concentrate on how many seats to contest or focus on post-result scenarios, we risk missing the bigger goal of reversing electoral trends in the country," Khurshid said.