Akhilesh Yadav Skips INDIA Bloc Meet; Allies Cite Prior Lucknow Commitment

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav skipped the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, with Congress and Trinamool Congress leaders saying he had prior commitments in Lucknow.

TMC MP Saugata Roy said Yadav had already informed the alliance that he would remain in Lucknow to attend the nomination of SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav.

“Yes, we know that. Akhilesh Yadav had already informed us that he would be in Lucknow today to submit Ram Gopal Yadav’s nomination,” Roy told the news agency.

Roy described the meeting as a positive initiative, saying it was an effort to organise an INDIA bloc meeting at short notice.

Congress Says Attendance Was Yadav’s Prerogative

Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said it was up to Yadav to decide whether to attend the meeting or send a representative.

“This is for Akhilesh Yadav to see, what is the importance of the INDIA bloc and how much importance to give to it. Whether he attends or sends his representative, that is his prerogative,” Gautam said.

He said the Congress remained committed to keeping the opposition alliance strong and ensuring respect for all parties in the bloc.

“Our prerogative is that the INDI Alliance remains strong, the country’s democracy and Constitution are protected, and respect is given to all parties in the alliance, which we are giving,” he added.

SP-Congress Ties Under Focus

Yadav’s absence comes as the Samajwadi Party and Congress have yet to reach an agreement on seat-sharing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The two parties had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together in Uttar Pradesh as part of the INDIA bloc, mounting a joint challenge to the BJP.

Their coordination ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls is now being closely watched as both parties prepare for the next electoral contest.

INDIA Bloc Meeting Focuses on SIR

The New Delhi meeting is focused on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns raised by opposition parties over the Election Commission.

Leaders of several INDIA bloc constituents are attending the meeting to discuss a coordinated response to the issue.