Grocery chain Albertsons Companies (ACI.US) has filed a lawsuit against The Kroger (KR.US), claiming that the company has failed to make its best efforts and take all necessary actions to ensure regulatory approval of the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the two companies.

Albertsons stated in a press release that it is seeking billions of dollars in damages from The Kroger to safeguard the interests of Albertsons and its Shareholders. In addition to the $0.6 billion termination fee, the company also hopes to obtain compensation for the hundreds of millions of dollars invested over the years to secure merger approval.

The Kroger and Albertsons agreed to cooperate in October 2022, stating that the deal would help both companies compete better against Amazon, Walmart, and other larger competitors. However, on Tuesday, a federal judge in the USA blocked the deal out of concern that it would reduce competition for Consumer grocery shopping.