INDIA bloc divided by polls, but united for nat’l welfare: Kharge
Times of India | 8 April 2026
Kolkata: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said that while INDIA bloc was formed keeping national interest in mind, it was never a compulsion on alliance partners to fight state elections together. Kharge, in the city to launch Congress's manifesto for Bengal polls, said that BJP and the Election Commission were "killing voters" together.
"This is not a question of INDIA bloc. We are fighting separately in different states, yet we come together for the welfare of the nation. We are fighting in Kerala too (with the Left Front), although they are part of the alliance," Kharge said.
Congress's manifesto promised Rs 2,000 per month to women and Rs 15,000 per year to farmers.
Criticising the SIR for trying to take away people's right to vote, Kharge said that "genuine voters were kept out of the electoral rolls". "I went to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. BJP's motive is to delete voters through the SIR and use the administration for that. We are fighting it in the court as well as on the streets," he said.
"If we are voted to office or whichever seat comes under us... will be used to fill the vacancies in state govt. The biggest challenge before the youth is unemployment. There was a time when Kolkata was known for investment and jobs. But today the youth is fleeing Kolkata to different cities in search of jobs," Kharge said.