High-Voltage INDIA vs Bharat Battle Erupts as UPA Gets Renamed, NDA Joins the Fray

Bengaluru, July 18, 2023: The political landscape in India witnessed an intense clash of narratives as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was rechristened as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) during a meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru.

In response, a heated INDIA versus Bharat debate erupted, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slamming the opposition and providing a new meaning to NDA as the New India, Developed Nation, and Aspiration of People and Region. This move set the stage for a high-stakes social media controversy.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma played a significant role in the unfolding drama. He criticized the new name of the opposition alliance, asserting that India is not Bharat, and made a symbolic gesture by changing his Twitter bio to replace ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’. This action made him the first BJP leader to adopt ‘Bharat’ in his Twitter profile.

The Bharat versus INDIA conflict stemmed from Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tweet, proclaiming that BJP stands for Bharat after the UPA transformed into INDIA. He highlighted the civilizational conflict centered around India and Bharat, advocating for the nation to free itself from colonial legacies. Congress leaders countered this narrative, citing the Constitution and emphasizing that India is Bharat and a Union of States.

In the midst of this ideological battle, Congress leaders questioned Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Twitter bio, inquiring whether other initiatives like Make in India and Start Up India would also undergo name changes. Responding to the criticism, Himanta changed his Twitter bio to ‘Chief Minister of Assam, Bharat’.

The opposition’s meeting in Bengaluru, where the UPA took on its new identity, showcased the united front of the non-NDA parties, setting the stage for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Concurrently, the NDA constituents rallied behind the BJP, reaffirming their faith in PM Modi’s leadership to contest the Lok Sabha elections together.

As the nation witnessed this intense political showdown, the battle between INDIA and Bharat has become a defining moment in India’s political discourse, reflecting the larger ideological clash between different parties and their visions for the country’s future.