![\"Cracks](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-128499616,imgsize-1051190,width-400,resizemode-4\/128499616.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Cracks within the INDIA bloc appeared to widen on Wednesday after Shiv Sena (UBT) asked the opposition alliance to \u201cwake up\u201d and hold discussions ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in several states.In an editorial, the party\u2019s mouthpiece Saamana<\/span> said the coalition must not wait until polls are announced to coordinate its strategy. The piece, titled \u201c<\/span>Confusion of inner voices, Mamata, Stalin or someone else?\u201d, stressed that multiple inner voices are emerging within the grand old party. <\/p>\n \u2018Targeting People Like Terrorists\u2019: Mamata Banerjee Attacks EC Over SIR, Cites Bangladesh Polls<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cOnce elections are announced, the INDIA bloc must certainly wake up and hold discussions. But more than that, wisdom lies in taking alert, collective decisions together,\u201d the article titled \u201cConfusion of inner voices, Mamata, Stalin or someone else?\u201d read.\u201cMahatma Gandhi was the supreme leader of both the Congress and the nation. Gandhi had an inner voice that guided his decisions, sharpened by spirituality, patriotism, and selflessness. Today, many \u2018inner voices\u2019 are emerging within the Congress, creating confusion. This is not a healthy sign for the country. With Assembly elections approaching in five states, these internal voices have added to the disorder. Statements by Mani Shankar Aiyar, Sanjaya Baru, Bhupen Bora, and others have surfaced at inconvenient times, complicating matters for the Congress,\u201d it added.The article also cited a recent opinion piece written by Sanjaya Baru, in which he proposed that leadership of the INDIA bloc be handed to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee<\/a>.\u201cAiyar remarked that Congress\u2019s victory in Kerala would be difficult, citing factionalism, and suggested that Pinarayi Vijayan may return as Chief Minister. His comments left the Congress uneasy. Though Aiyar remains a Gandhian, Nehruvian, and Rajiv loyalist, he made it clear he is \u2018not Rahulvadi.\u2019 Amid this, Sanjaya Baru proposed that leadership of the INDIA alliance be handed to Mamata Banerjee, arguing that she is better positioned to lead opposition forces,\u201d it said.\u201cAround the same time, Aiyar suggested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin for the role, citing his strong advocacy for regional parties. Whatever the case, the leadership question within the INDIA alliance has resurfaced. After the Lok Sabha elections, what exactly became of the alliance? This remains a delicate question,\u201d the article read further.Earlier, Sanjaya Baru, who served as media adviser to then prime minister Manmohan Singh, said that \u201cnew ideas should\u201d lead or manage the INDIA bloc.He argued that \u201cas the only woman to presently head both a political party and a government\u201d, Mamata Banerjee stands apart from the current generation of leaders at the national and regional levels.In 2026, Assembly elections are scheduled in four states and one Union Territory \u2014 West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.The Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the official schedule soon.<\/div>\n\n