The top leaders of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on June 1 to evaluate their performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections and strategize for the future. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, a key figure in the opposition bloc, will convene the meeting, which coincides with the final phase of polling on June 1.
However, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee has stated that she cannot attend the meeting due to elections scheduled for nine seats in West Bengal on the same day. Mamata Banerjee said, “The INDIA team is holding a meeting on June 1. I have told them I can’t join as we have election on 9 seats in West Bengal on the same day. Punjab, Bihar & UP also have elections on June 1. One one side is the cyclone, and on the other side, it is elections – I have to do everything. Cyclone relief is my priority right now.”
Watch:-
#WATCH | Kolkata | TMC Chairperson and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, “The INDIA team is holding a meeting on June 1. I have told them I can’t join as we have election on 10 seats in West Bengal on the same day. Punjab, Bihar & UP also have elections on June 1. On one side… pic.twitter.com/4EIDZnr6lc
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2024
A few days ago, Mamata Banerjee stated that her party would provide “outside support” to the Opposition alliance if it manages to form a government at the Centre.
“We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre. We will extend our support so that in (West) Bengal, our mothers and sisters never face a problem… and those who work in the 100 days’ job scheme, also do not face problems,” she said.
The day after her remark about outside support, the TMC chief clarified that she is “very much part of the INDIA alliance” at the national level. “At all India level, some people have misunderstood my statement yesterday. I am very much part of the INDIA alliance. The INDIA alliance was my brainchild. We are together at the national level and will continue to be together.”
Voting is scheduled for nine seats in West Bengal on June 1, including two seats in Kolkata: Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar. Other constituencies include Jadavpur, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jayanagar, Mathurapur, and Diamond Harbour.
The meeting’s agenda will cover discussions on the opposition’s strategy ahead of the election results announcement on June 4 and an evaluation of their performance during the seven-phase elections. The opposition alliance, comprising 28 parties, is confident in its ability to prevent the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from returning to power and aims to form its own government.
Previous meetings of the INDIA bloc have taken place in various cities, including Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, where resolutions were adopted to collectively contest the Lok Sabha elections. While the TMC does not have a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress or any other party in West Bengal, it has supported the Samajwadi Party’s candidate, Laliteshpati Tripathi, in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi.
Meanwhile, the ruling alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated its confidence in securing a third consecutive term in government.