The meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc scheduled for December 6 has been put off for later this month, after three key leaders conveyed their inability to attend.
While Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is unwell, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said she was busy with a family wedding, and TN CM MK Stalin conveyed his pre-occupation with floods in the state, sources quoted them as having told Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. However, with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav issuing caustic statements and being unable to come for the meeting, the postponement is seen as forced by allies' bid to get back at Congress for its "unilateralism", after its rout in the polls. Sources close to two members of the bloc confirmed to TOI they would have asked Congress about Kamal Nath's dismissive reference to Akhilesh Yadav.