Kolkata, September 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav’s absence from the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday drew attention amid discussions over the opposition alliance’s unity, with Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy and Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam saying the SP leader had prior commitments.
Asked about Yadav’s absence, Roy said the SP chief had already informed the alliance that he would remain in Lucknow to submit the nomination of senior party 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 IANS.
Describing the meeting as a positive initiative, the Trinamool Congress MP said, “It is an effort to organise an INDIA Alliance meeting at short notice, which is a good thing.”
Congress leader Rajendra Pal Gautam said it was Yadav’s prerogative to decide whether to attend the meeting or send a representative. He reiterated that the Congress remained committed to strengthening the opposition alliance.
“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.
“Our prerogative is that the INDIA 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.
Yadav’s absence comes amid questions over the relationship between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The two parties have yet to reach an agreement on seat-sharing for the polls, prompting discussions about the future of their electoral understanding in the state.
The Samajwadi Party and the Congress contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh together as part of the INDIA bloc, presenting a joint electoral challenge to the BJP. Their coordination ahead of the next Assembly elections is being closely watched as both parties prepare for the upcoming contest.
The INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi is focused on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the Election Commission. Leaders from several constituent parties are attending the meeting to discuss a coordinated response to the issue.
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