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Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday called on Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in her Kalighat residence in Kolkata after the party was handed a big shock in the Assembly elections to West Bengal.

During the cordial meeting, also attended by Abhishek Banerjee, Akhilesh consoled Mamata, saying, “Aap hari nahi hain, Didi” (You’ve not lost, Didi). He also congratulated the party and Abhishek Banerjee for playing the great fight.

Opposition leaders see the visit as an important outreach in the backdrop of speculations regarding possible alliances, particularly in the run-up to the upcoming electoral events, among which Uttar Pradesh is home to. Later, Akhilesh Yadav spoke to the media in Kolkata.

Banerjee has not accepted the resignation requests, stating it is a symbolic protest as the chief minister. The off-camp meeting has been a hot topic in the political debate in the wake of it, and it means that a new initiative is underway towards opposition unity against the BJP.

The two leaders spoke about the recent elections and the way forward.