New Delhi, December 9: The 79th birthday celebration of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi became a platform for the opposition INDIA Bloc to project unity, with senior leaders from various parties gathering at Parliament in New Delhi.

The event, attended by Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, and others, showcased rare solidarity within the alliance.

Notably, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav attended, signaling a thaw in relations between Congress and SP after recent tensions.

This gathering comes after the INDIA Bloc's defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, which raised concerns about the bloc’s cohesion. Additionally, friction within the Maharashtra front over seat-sharing has further strained the alliance.

With upcoming assembly elections in several states, the event highlighted the bloc’s attempt to present a unified front despite ongoing regional rivalries and seat-sharing issues.

For Congress, it also reaffirmed Sonia Gandhi’s position as a central, unifying figure.