NEW DELHI, June 1: Senior leaders of the INDIA bloc convened on Saturday to strategize for the upcoming vote counting on June 4, despite the absence of the TMC and PDP. The meeting, held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, included representatives from the Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, JMM, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar).
TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously announced their absence due to ongoing elections in the state, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was unable to attend due to personal reasons, citing her mother’s recent eye surgery.
Attendees included notable opposition figures such as Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Anil Desai, Sitaram Yechury, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, T R Baalu, Farooq Abdullah, D Raja, and Mukesh Sahani. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and K C Venugopal were also present.
DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin had expressed optimism ahead of the meeting, stating on X, “June 4th will mark the beginning of a new dawn for India. In today’s meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, DMK will be represented by our party Treasurer and leader of DMK’s Parliamentary Party, Thiru. T.R. Baalu avl.”
Kharge had described the meeting as an informal gathering to discuss preparations for the counting day, emphasizing vigilance regarding the handling of EVMs and the use of Form 17C. He also noted that Congress state units had been instructed to remain alert and monitor the process closely.
The meeting coincided with the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections, which is currently underway, including in key states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
