Kolkata: Clouds of uncertainty have been gathering over the future of INDIA Opposition bloc since the defeat of Congress in three Hindi heartland states at the hands of BJP.
Parties like Trinamool Congress (TMC), Janata Dal (United) and National Conference made it clear that they weren’t amused by the performance of Congress in the recent Assembly polls, which were considered to be the semifinal ahead of next summer’s Lok Sabha elections.
On Sunday itself, Congress called for a meeting of INDIA party leaders on December 6.
But it seems very few of the 28 alliance parties could actually take part in that meeting.
In fact, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that she wasn’t even aware of such an INDIA bloc meeting.
“I am not aware about this (the meeting)… I have already scheduled a programme in north Bengal. I have a seven-day programme there. Had I known, would I have kept this programme? I would have surely gone for it. But because we have no information, I am going for the north Bengal tour,” Mamata said.
She hinted that none from her party will attend the meeting.
Mamata said earlier in the day that Congress’ decision to fight the Assembly polls on its own led to a division of votes.
“Congress has won Telangana. They would have won Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Some votes were cut by INDIA parties. This is the truth. We had said suggested a seat-sharing arrangement. They lost because of division of votes,” Mamata said.
According to TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, “the attempt to bring everyone together should gain momentum… It should be reflected in the actions and not in their words.”
Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh sought to control damage, saying that the proposed meeting on December 6 was an “informal” one.
