The Youth Congress’s semi-nude protest during the recent AI Summit has triggered sharp political fallout, widening cracks between the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies.
What began as an act of protest against the government has now evolved into a larger political controversy, with several alliance partners distancing themselves from the move. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public criticism of the protest further intensified the situation, prompting allies to voice their concerns more openly.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Margaret Alva stressed the importance of discipline and responsibility, particularly when protests coincide with international events. She noted that such platforms demand sensitivity and decorum.
Another senior Congress leader, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that while the Opposition has every right to protest, the venue chosen for the demonstration was inappropriate.
Despite the mounting criticism, the Congress leadership has instructed its members to defend the Youth Congress’s actions. However, managing the growing unease among allies may prove challenging.
Key partners such as Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party and Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal have publicly distanced themselves from the protest. Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP government for spreading misinformation but clarified that he does not support protests that could embarrass India or foreign delegates on an international stage.
RJD leader Manoj Jha echoed similar sentiments, stating that while public anger against the government—particularly over issues like the India-US trade deal—is understandable, the AI Summit was not the appropriate platform for such a demonstration. He emphasized that selecting the right venue for protests is crucial.
Leaders from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), including Arvind Sawant and Aditya Thackeray, also issued statements distancing themselves from the Congress. They maintained that while protests are a democratic right, international forums should not be used for political messaging.
West Bengal IT Minister Babul Supriyo also reacted strongly on social media, arguing that staging protests at an event attended by global leaders and industry representatives could harm India’s international image. He stated that while political disagreements are natural in a democracy, they should not come at the cost of national dignity.
The widespread criticism from allies is being viewed as a significant setback for the Congress. While differences within the alliance have surfaced before, disapproval at this scale has been rare.
As the second-largest party in the Lok Sabha, with its leader serving as the Leader of the Opposition, Congress retains political leverage. However, political observers suggest that future strategy discussions may need to be more balanced and mindful of coalition dynamics to preserve unity within the INDIA bloc.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.







