The leadership of the INDIA bloc has been a contentious issue from the beginning, causing significant friction within the coalition. Rahul Gandhi, having assumed the informal leadership role of the INDIA bloc due to his position in Congress, faces constant challenges, particularly with recent criticisms emerging from within his own party. The situation reflects deep-rooted issues concerning trust and consensus within the coalition, raising questions about the future direction of opposition unity in India.

Furthermore, Nitish Kumar, one of the founders of the INDIA bloc, was also not considered a leader, a sentiment that influenced his return to the NDA. After leaving the NDA in August 2022 with the intention of uniting the opposition, Kumar struggled to gain approval from Congress after joining forces with Lalu Prasad Yadav. His wait for Congress's endorsement extended over several days, hindered by party organizational elections and an overall lack of consensus that has resulted in no conclusive decisions.

Initially, Mamata Banerjee showed interest in Nitish Kumar's proposal, but discussions of appointing an organizer led to a shift, with Arvind Kejriwal suggesting the name of Mallikarjun Kharge for the prime ministerial position. Disappointed by the lack of support, Kumar ultimately withdrew from the discussions, highlighting the ongoing challenges in establishing cohesive leadership within the INDIA bloc and illustrating the complexities of opposition politics in India as they prepare for future electoral battles.