Mamata Banerjee Urges Rahul Gandhi for Rescheduled INDIA Meeting

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee revealed that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi reached out to her following the controversy surrounding the postponement of an INDIA bloc meeting. This incident highlighted a growing divide within the opposition coalition ahead of next year’s election. The decision to postpone the meeting came after the Congress party’s losses in three state polls and criticism from allies, including Banerjee. This emphasized the fragile nature of the coalition, which is led by the Congress party on paper.

Banerjee, speaking in Kolkata, stated that she had not been informed about the INDIA meeting scheduled for Wednesday and therefore could not adjust her schedule at the last minute. She assured that a new date would be set soon and there was no cause for concern. She mentioned that Rahul Gandhi had called her and she explained that she had not been informed about the meeting. She also pointed out that other chief ministers, like Tamil Nadu’s MK Stalin, were occupied with other matters, such as dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.

Banerjee reiterated her willingness to attend the meeting whenever the Congress party decides. She expressed her lack of awareness about the meeting earlier in the day, mentioning her prior commitments in north Bengal. She emphasized that if she had known about the meeting, she would have definitely attended.

Earlier, Banerjee had declined the Congress party’s invitation, and subsequently, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also announced their absence, opting to send representatives instead. Nitish Kumar clarified that his absence was due to illness and he would attend the next meeting.

These consecutive negative responses from three prominent leaders compelled the Congress party to postpone the meeting called by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The meeting was intended to outline INDIA’s plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The Congress party has faced criticism from allies not only regarding seat-sharing disputes that may have affected its performance in the recent polls but also for its insistence on delaying preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha election until it can lead the planning.

(Note: The article has been rewritten and is now approximately 340 words long)