The JD(U) on Thursday questioned the rationale of the INDIA bloc, pointing out that its constituents frequently contest against one another in state elections and no consensus among them on leadership, issues or a plan to contest polls together.
The remarks came as INDIA bloc leaders are scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on Thursday evening to deliberate on the roadmap for protests over the "vote chori" issue and ways to press for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, sources said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the meeting, which will also review preparations for the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi on November 1, they said.
The meeting also assumes significance as it comes amid speculation about the government convening Parliament to pass a Constitution amendment bill involving delimitation for early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act.
Speaking to PTI, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said whether opposition leaders meet virtually or in person, their parties will be seen contesting against each other in upcoming elections.
"Their contests against each other will be much more difficult than their fight against the BJP," he said.
"In Punjab, the AAP and the Congress will be fighting against each other. In West Bengal, people have already seen how the TMC, Congress and Left parties were fighting against one another," Prasad said.
He said the opposition parties' inability to agree on leadership, common issues and a joint electoral strategy raises questions about the purpose of the alliance.
"What, then, is the rationale behind such alliances when there is no consensus on leadership or issues and no plan to contest elections together? The INDIA bloc must clarify the rationale behind such an alliance," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)