Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav did not attend the meeting of 'India' block on Wednesday. Amidst the discussion regarding the unity of the opposition alliance, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy and Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said that the SP leader had pre-decided important work.
When asked about Akhilesh Yadav not attending the meeting, Roy said that the SP chief had already told the alliance that he would remain in Lucknow.
“Yes, we know this. Akhilesh Yadav had already told us that he will be present in Lucknow today to file the nomination of Ram Gopal Yadav,” Roy told IANS.
Calling the meeting a positive initiative, the Trinamool MP said, “This is an attempt to organize a meeting of the ‘India’ alliance in a short time, which is a good thing.”
Congress leader Rajendrapal Gautam said that it is for Akhilesh Yadav to decide whether to attend the meeting or send a representative. At the same time, he stressed that his party is committed to strengthening the opposition alliance.
Gautam said, “It is for Akhilesh Yadav to decide what is the importance of 'India' alliance and how much importance to give to it. It is his right to join himself or send his representative.”
He said, “Our objective is that the 'India' alliance remains strong, the country's democracy and Constitution are protected and all the parties involved in the alliance are respected, which we are doing.
Akhilesh's absence comes at a time when questions are being raised about the relationship between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. No agreement has yet been reached between the two parties on seat-sharing for the elections, leading to speculation over the future of their electoral tie-up in the state.
Samajwadi Party and Congress had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together under the 'India' block in Uttar Pradesh and the alliance had given a joint electoral challenge to the BJP. Now their coordination is being closely monitored for the upcoming assembly elections as both the parties prepare for the next electoral contest.
The 'India' alliance is meeting in Delhi to discuss the concerns of opposition parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Election Commission. Leaders of several allies are attending the meeting and discussing a coordinated political response to the issue.
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