INDIA bloc to meet on June 1 for assessment of performance in LS polls, discuss strategy

According to reports, Congress supremo Mallikarjun Kharge, who also happens to be a prominent leader of the opposition alliance, will convene the meeting.

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will give the meeting a skip given polling on nine seats in her state on the same day.

"The INDIA team is holding a meeting on June 1. I have told them I can't join as we have an election on 9 seats in West Bengal on the same day. Punjab, Bihar and UP also have elections on June 1. Cyclone relief is also my priority right now," she said.

Earlier Mamata Banerjee said she is very much a part of the INDIA alliance, which she claimed to be her "brainchild" a day after stating to give 'external' support to the bloc to form government at the Centre.

The agenda of the meeting will include discussions on the opposition's strategy ahead of the declaration of the results on June 4.

They will also evaluate their performance in the Lok Sabha Elections.

The opposition alliance, comprising 28 parties, has expressed confidence to return to power even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims his party will secure a straighter third term at the Centre.