Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reaffirmed the cohesion within the INDIA bloc, addressing Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar’s political manoeuvre. Speaking in Jharkhand’s Gumla, Gandhi emphasised the continued involvement of key members, including Mamata Banerjee, within the alliance framework. Despite some members like Nitish Kumar joining the BJP, Gandhi noted that the core essence of the INDIA alliance remains intact. He stated, “Mamata (Banerjee) is very much part of the INDIA alliance and most of the other members who are part of the INDIA alliance are still members of the INDIA alliance.” Gandhi also added, “Nitish Kumar has left the alliance and he’s gone to the BJP. You can guess as to what the reasons are for him leaving. That’s fine. We’ll fight in Bihar as the INDIA alliance. So I don’t agree that lots of our partners are not part of the alliance.” One of the key architects of the INDIA bloc, Nitish Kumar pulled out of the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar as he took oath as chief minister for the ninth time with support from the NDA earlier in January. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have already indicated that the parties will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls alone in West Bengal, Punjab, and Haryana. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, currently in Jharkhand, has seen major political developments in the state. Former CM Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED and Champai Soren formed the new government.