Mamata Banerjee's picture on Social Media X
In a fiery declaration on Wednesday, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee announced that the party would independently contest elections for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal. She expressed frustration and ruled out discussions with the Congress for a pre-poll alliance, emphasizing that the focus is on defeating the BJP within the state.
“I had no discussions with the Congress. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I gave them (the Congress) many proposals… but they rejected them. I am not concerned about what will be done in the (rest of the) country… but we are a secular party and, in Bengal, we alone will defeat BJP,” declared Banerjee.
The Trinamool leader also criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,’ expressing displeasure over not being informed about its entry into Bengal. Banerjee made it clear that her party’s focus is solely on Bengal, and she is against allowing the Congress to contest in the state.
While Banerjee has a rapport with Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi, her ties with Rahul Gandhi are perceived as strained. The announcement has drawn criticism from the BJP, with Amit Malviya, the BJP’s IT Cell boss, calling it a “sign of desperation” and suggesting that Banerjee is attempting to remain relevant.
Despite the solo approach in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee hinted at the possibility of a pan-India alliance with the Congress post-elections. The political landscape in Bengal remains intense as parties finalize their strategies ahead of the upcoming elections.
