Key regional allies of INDIA bloc to meet in Lucknow after poll results, signalling stronger coordination ahead of Uttar Pradesh elections
April 29, 2026: Key regional allies of the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance are planning a strategy meeting in Lucknow after the results of assembly elections in multiple states are announced on May 4. According to sources, the aim is to form a pressure group within the alliance, potentially excluding Congress, to strengthen coordination among regional players and attract parties like BJD, BRS, and YSRCP that have maintained distance from the national party.
The choice of Lucknow is politically significant as Uttar Pradesh heads for assembly elections next year. The move is expected to signal strong backing for Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party, which delivered a strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party won 37 out of 80 seats, while Congress improved its tally, and the BJP saw a sharp decline in the state.
The proposed pressure group is likely to include parties such as Trinamool Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Aam Aadmi Party. These parties have increasingly coordinated support in state elections, often backing regional allies over Congress. Leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav have also publicly supported each other, reflecting growing efforts to build a stronger regional front within the opposition.