Unexpected Entry of Kapil Sibal Ruffles Feathers at I.N.D.I.A Mega Meet

Mumbai: During the mega opposition meeting in Mumbai, known as the INDIA conclave, tensions arose as former Congress leader Kapil Sibal unexpectedly appeared, according to sources. Sibal, who had left the party the previous year, citing his desire not to align with any party, was not an official invitee, causing consternation among his former colleagues.

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal expressed his concerns about Sibal’s presence to ex-Maharashtra minister Uddhav Thackeray. The meeting, hosted by Thackeray’s Shiv Sena UBT, aimed to unite opposition politicians for the upcoming elections. Notably, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi did not object to Sibal’s participation.

Eventually, Sibal, now an independent Rajya Sabha MP, joined the photo op. A video showed Nationalist Congress Party Working President Supriya Sule warmly welcoming Sibal, with security concerns raised in the background. Thackeray and Shiv Sena UBT’s Sanjay Raut engaged in discussions, including with Venugopal.

The INDIA group, consisting of 28 parties, convened in Mumbai to strategize against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Key decisions expected from the meeting include the group’s logo, appointment of spokespersons, sub-groups for different departments, a Common Minimum Programme, and speculation regarding the alliance’s potential prime ministerial candidate.

Kapil Sibal’s departure from Congress last year came after the party’s “Chintan Shivir” and internal turmoil, including his involvement in the “G-23” dissenting group advocating for changes within the Congress. In explaining his departure, Sibal mentioned concerns about the party’s leadership and his desire for a new direction.