TMC Chairperson and Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has opted out of the I.N.D.I.A bloc meeting is scheduled for June 1 due to Cyclone Remal.


CM Mamata attributed her decision to the upcoming election of 10 seats in West Bengal on the same day and emphasised the priority of cyclone relief efforts.


The I.N.D.I.A bloc has arranged an all-party meeting on the day coinciding with the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Leaders from opposition blocs have been invited to participate in the gathering in Delhi, which precedes the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4.


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While addressing a press conference, she said, "The I.N.D.I.A team is holding a meeting on June 1. I have told them I can't join as we have the election on 10 seats in West Bengal on the same day. Punjab, Bihar & UP also have elections on June 1. On one side is the cyclone, and on the other side, it is elections - I have to do everything. Cyclone relief is my priority right now," ANI quoted saying.






Meeting Has Been Called To Review Future Course Of Action: Report


This meeting has been called to review and discuss the coalition's future course of action, keeping in mind its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, according to the media report.


The I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders who have been invited to the important meeting include all chiefs of the opposition alliance. The list includes Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, among others, the report noted. 


It is to be noted that the meeting has been called just a day before the Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal to surrender himself in Tihar Jail, as directed by the Supreme Court. 


After the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which concluded on May 25 (Saturday), the Congress asserted that the alliance has already covered the halfway mark of 272 seats. The grand old party also claimed that the I.N.D.I.A bloc was on course to secure a tally of over 350 seats in total.