Congress Postpones INDIA Alliance Meeting as Key Leaders Decline Attendance

The scheduled meeting of the INDIA opposition bloc in Delhi, convened by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, has been postponed, sources told NDTV. This delay follows indications that prominent leaders such as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin would not attend.

The growing divergence within the INDIA bloc becomes evident as key regional leaders express dissatisfaction with the national party, emphasizing their intent to contest elections independently or as the majority partner. Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee underscored the impact of the Congress’ defeats in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, attributing them to disagreements over seat-sharing, particularly in Madhya Pradesh.

A coordination meeting of Parliamentary Party leaders of India Alliance will be at 6 pm on December 6th, 2023 at the residence of Congress President Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge.

Thereafter meeting of Party Presidents/ Heads of the India Alliance will be scheduled in third week of…

— Gurdeep Singh Sappal (@gurdeepsappal) December 5, 2023

In a notable shift, Nitish Kumar and Akhilesh Yadav opt to send representatives—Rajiv Ranjan and Ramgopal Yadav, respectively—raising questions about the optics and a potential desire for direct engagement with Congress leadership.

While Mamata Banerjee cites prior commitments for her absence, reports suggest the Trinamool might not be represented at all. In response, the Congress downplays the meeting as an “informal meet,” with sources hinting at a more formal gathering on December 18 or 19.

The broader context reveals criticism directed at the Congress from allies, not only regarding seat-sharing disputes but also over the Congress’ insistence on delaying preparations for the upcoming general election—a primary goal of the INDIA bloc.

This postponement comes amid a backdrop of strained relations within the opposition, as regional leaders voice concerns and the absence of progress prompts criticism from figures like Nitish Kumar. The future trajectory of the INDIA bloc remains uncertain, with the postponed meeting indicative of underlying tensions and challenges in forming a cohesive opposition against the BJP.