The INDIA bloc met in New Delhi on September 30 and finalised a joint action plan on the Election Commission row — but Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee sidestepped the question of whether Rahul Gandhi will be the opposition's 2029 prime ministerial face.

About 20 opposition parties attended the three-and-a-half-hour meeting at the Constitution Club. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said allies agreed to "Save Democracy" marches between October 2 and 8, a march of opposition MPs to the Election Commission on October 6, and an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu. They demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

When asked if Gandhi would be the 2029 PM face, Banerjee deflected: "You will be the candidate," before adding, "We have a press conference tomorrow, we will tell you then." The moment of warmth with Sonia Gandhi — who patted Banerjee on the back — went viral.

Some key members, including the DMK and AAP, skipped the meeting, raising unity questions. BJP's Shivraj Singh Chouhan mocked the alliance's leadership muddle.

The bloc looks united against the EC but divided on its face. That tension will define the road to 2029.