The unity of the India alliance has once again been questioned. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav was absent from the dinner hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday. His comments on this development have now become interesting in political circles. He joked that in future, meetings of opposition leaders will not be limited to just meals, but discussions can also be held over tea or samosas.

When the media asked why he did not attend the dinner hosted by Kharge at Sagar Ratna Hotel on Janpath, Akhilesh responded. "This will not end with just a meal. In future, you may also hear that we have met over tea. We can all eat samosas together. The discussions will continue," he commented.

Earlier, Akhilesh Yadav participated in the protest organized by the India alliance on Tuesday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He was also among the leaders detained by the Delhi Police. However, he did not participate in the dharna that Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders continued at Akashvani Bhavan and returned to Lucknow. He and other SP MPs also stayed away from the dinner on Wednesday and the program that was later held at Jantar Mantar.

Samajwadi Party sources say that Akhilesh did not attend the dinner because the invitation was received late. Dissatisfaction with the last-minute decisions taken during Tuesday's protest programs also seems to be a reason. Congress leaders, however, are taking this matter lightly. They say that many SP MPs have left Delhi after Tuesday's incidents. However, this development has given more strength to the discussion that there is a lack of coordination between the SP and the Congress in the context of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.