The INDIA bloc held a key opposition meeting on Tuesday amid signs of strain in the alliance. The Samajwadi Party, DMK and AAP stayed away, while Akhilesh Yadav also skipped the meeting, reports said.

The agenda included the demand for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner and the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders have accused the Election Commission of bias, a charge the poll body rejects.

The absences have widened the rift within the bloc. Reports said the BJP questioned Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, asking how he can unite the opposition when key allies skip meetings.

The meeting comes as the opposition tries to present a united front ahead of upcoming state polls. Internal differences over seat-sharing and strategy have surfaced repeatedly.

Whether the alliance can hold together remains an open question. Further rounds of talks are expected in the coming weeks to keep the bloc intact.