INDIA meet postponed as 3 leaders say they can't attend
What's the story
A crucial opposition bloc meeting scheduled for Wednesday in Delhi has been deferred to December 18.
This came after three leaders, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, reportedly said they would skip it.
The meeting was convened by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) after the key alliance partner Congress's recent poll debacle in four states.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The development came amid an alleged rift in the INDIA bloc over several issues.
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she wouldn't attend the meeting too.
The issue of caste census in Bihar has allegedly become a matter of difference between various ally partners.
Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC)—a part of the INDIA bloc—has previously expressed opposition to the caste census.
Details
RJD supremo Lalu Yadav was planning to attend meet
Citing sources, NDTV reported Yadav and Kumar weren't planning on attending the now-deferred meeting, sending their representatives instead.
While Janata Dal-United (JDU) President Rajiv Ranjan and senior leader Sanjay Jha were expected to represent Kumar, the SP was to send Rajya Sabha MP Ramgopal Yadav.
However, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav were set to attend it.
About
Internal rifts in bloc over Kumar's accusation against Congress: Report
Earlier, the INDIA bloc convened the meeting on Wednesday evening at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's Delhi residence.
It was aimed at devising a strategy to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha elections.
The announcement came amid reports of internal rifts in the bloc after Kumar accused the Congress of lacking in terms of proper preparation for the general election.
Statement
INDIA bloc allegedly losing momentum, Kumar blamed Congress
Notably, Kumar had reportedly blamed the Congress party for the INDIA allegedly losing its momentum in the country.
He claimed that the grand old party appeared more focused on the recent assembly elections in five states than the coalition's goals.
Hence, the now-postponed meeting was viewed as a chance for alliance members to regroup and discuss tactics to fortify their stance against the BJP.
Congress
Congress's 'disappointing' performance in 3 states
The opposition bloc meeting was called after the Congress's debilitating loss to the BJP in the recent assembly polls in three states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
Kharge acknowledged the "disappointing: performance in these states but termed it a "temporary setback."
However, he thanked the people of Telangana for their mandate as the Congress unseated the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in the state.