A discussion on the Opposition alliance and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s political move led to a sharp exchange between senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh at the Congress Working Committee meeting.

During the meeting, Mr Digvijaya Singh raised the issue of Nitish Kumar and argued that the Congress and its allies should have been able to retain him within the Opposition alliance, according to people familiar with the discussion.

Sonia Gandhi responded firmly, saying that Nitish Kumar had “betrayed” the Opposition bloc and that it was better that he had left when he did.

The exchange came during a wider CWC discussion on the Congress’s political strategy and the recent electoral landscape.

Digvijaya Singh raises Nitish Kumar issue

Digvijaya Singh also argued in favour of restoring ballot papers in elections during the meeting, according to the account of the discussions. His remarks on Nitish Kumar were part of the internal deliberations on the Opposition’s political strategy.

The discussion reflected differing views within the Congress on how the party and its allies should have approached Nitish Kumar’s association with the Opposition bloc.

Sonia Gandhi’s response

Sonia Gandhi disagreed with the suggestion that the Opposition should have retained Nitish Kumar.

She said that Kumar had betrayed the Opposition bloc and indicated that his departure from the alliance was better for the Opposition than continuing with him, according to the report of the CWC proceedings.

The exchange took place during the Congress’s broader discussions on electoral issues and its political approach.

The BJP’s farmer outreach in Punjab’s Patiala has triggered a dispute with the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shadipur), after the organisation rejected the party’s claim that its leaders had joined the BJP at an event.

The BJP had announced on Monday that around 100 to 150 leaders associated with farmer organisations had joined the party during its Nasha Mukti Yatra in Patiala Rural. The development was presented as part of the BJP’s efforts to connect with Punjab’s farming community ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

However, BKU (Shadipur) leader Buta Singh Shadipur said no one from the organisation had joined the BJP.

BKU Shadipur disputes BJP’s claim

Buta Singh Shadipur alleged that some people were brought from outside and presented as members of the farmer union. He also alleged that the organisation’s badge, name and logo were used during the programme.

The union is examining the event and has indicated that it could take legal action after reviewing the available material.

“Our legal advisers are with us. We are examining the videos and other material. Once the investigation is complete, we will consider sending legal notices to the people concerned,” Singh said.

He also said the use of the organisation’s identity could create an impression that BKU (Shadipur) had supported the BJP.

Singh stressed that individual participation in the BJP programme should not be interpreted as a decision taken by the farmer organisation.

BJP event participant defends decision

The BJP’s account of the event was supported by farmer Nirmal Singh, who defended his decision to join the party.

“Earlier, we opposed the BJP and said the BJP would not be allowed to enter Punjab. But after seeing all three major parties, people have now decided to support the BJP,” Nirmal Singh said.

He also criticised the AAP government in Punjab and said he believed the BJP could improve the situation in the state.

“The AAP has spoiled the atmosphere in Punjab. That is why we are joining the BJP. If any party can improve the situation in Punjab, we believe it is the BJP,” he said.

Union examines possible legal action

BKU (Shadipur) legal adviser Advocate Prabhjeet Singh said the alleged use of the organisation’s registered name and logo without permission was being examined.

He said the union was considering possible action under trademark law as well as defamation proceedings.

The dispute centres on whether the participation of individuals at the BJP event can be represented as an organisational decision by BKU (Shadipur). The union has maintained that individual participation should not be portrayed as an endorsement or decision by the organisation.

BJP steps up rural outreach in Punjab

The controversy comes as the BJP increases its outreach to rural and farming constituencies in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

The party has sought to expand its political engagement beyond urban constituencies traditionally associated with its support base. Its outreach has included issues such as drugs, farmers’ welfare and rural development.

The Patiala episode has now added a dispute over the representation of a farmer organisation to the BJP’s efforts to engage with Punjab’s farming community.

Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc are set to hold a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday amid the continuing dispute over the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The meeting is scheduled at the Constitution Club of India and comes after opposition parties stepped up their criticism of the poll panel following reports about objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on several issues concerning the commission’s functioning.

The Election Commission, however, has rejected the suggestion that there was formal dissent within the three-member panel. Sources have said the commissioners had made observations that were considered by the poll body, while the commission has maintained that its decisions, including those concerning SIR, were taken unanimously.

INDIA bloc meeting on Gyanesh Kumar

The opposition meeting is expected to focus on its strategy concerning Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission.

An earlier report said INDIA bloc parties had agreed to pursue a fresh removal motion against the Chief Election Commissioner, with Congress taking the initiative. A notice for the proposed motion was being prepared, according to Congress sources cited in that report.

The issue gained momentum after reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions concerning matters including electoral-roll management and changes to Form 6.

The Election Commission has disputed the interpretation of these internal observations as formal dissent. It has said that written notes, observations and suggestions are part of the functioning of a multi-member constitutional body and that official decisions followed due procedure.

Election Commission’s position on SIR

The Election Commission has maintained that the June 24, 2025 order launching the nationwide SIR exercise was approved unanimously by the full commission. It has also said that subsequent schedules related to the exercise received unanimous approval.

At its September 26 meeting, the three-member commission — Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi — issued clarifications on several issues linked to the recent controversy.

The commission said that internal deliberations should not be treated as disagreement over final decisions and announced measures including advance circulation of meeting agendas and issuance of minutes.

Opposition’s concerns

Opposition parties have continued to question the Election Commission’s functioning and its handling of the SIR exercise.

The controversy centres partly on reports that the two Election Commissioners had recorded objections on several issues over a period of months. The opposition has cited these reports while demanding greater transparency and action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

The Election Commission, on the other hand, has maintained that its major decisions were taken collectively and unanimously. This difference in interpretation has become a central part of the ongoing political dispute over SIR and the functioning of the poll panel.