Addressing an election rally in Kolkata, Banerjee said, “The INDIA bloc earlier said they would hold a meeting on June 1. I told them I wouldn’t come as we will still have polls here like a few other states. How can I go when there is a cyclone and relief operations going on the one hand and elections on the other?”

Earlier, Banerjee had that the TMC would support the INDIA alliance from outside but later she changed her stand saying the coalition is her brainchild and she is very much part of it.

Pointing out that the party has so far attended all meetings of the Opposition bloc, sources in the TMC said Banerjee, party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and other top leaders would be voting on June 1. The TMC had conveyed this to the alliance organisers, they added. Voting will take place in nine seats in West Bengal on June 1.

Citing relief work in the cyclone-affected area as her priority, Banerjee on Monday said, “My focus is ensuring relief for people. I am holding a meeting here but my heart lies with the affected people.”

“This time too, there has been a lot of damage in our state due to the Cyclone Remal. The loss of lives is above everything else. Fortunately due to the action of the state administration, the loss of life this time is comparatively less,” Banerjee said.