West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, Mamata Banerjee, announced on Wednesday that her party will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections independently in the state. She clarified that any decision regarding a national alliance would only be made post-elections.
Banerjee, while en route to Purba Medinipur for an administrative meeting, vehemently denied any ongoing discussions with the Congress. She stated, “I have had no talks, no talks with anyone… no talks at all. It’s all lies.” She further added that non-Congress regional parties were maintaining unity.
The TMC chief pointed out that the Congress had rejected her initial offer of two seats in the state. “My initial proposal has already been rejected by them. Then our party took a decision that we will fight alone in Bengal,” she said. Banerjee also expressed her disappointment over the lack of courtesy from the Congress, which is holding a rally (Bharat Joro Nyay Yatra) in the state without informing her.
Banerjee emphasized that the TMC is a secular party and will do whatever is necessary to counter the BJP. However, she confirmed that there are currently no discussions on seat-sharing. She also highlighted that the INDIA alliance is not a single-party affair and that regional parties will remain united. She suggested that the Congress should contest 300 seats, leaving 72 for the regional parties, and should not interfere in the latter’s affairs.
These statements come a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that he shared a cordial relationship with Banerjee and that seat-sharing talks with the TMC were ongoing. However, the relationship between the two parties has been strained, with the Congress, led by its West Bengal chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, refusing the TMC’s offer of two seats.
Banerjee also criticized another INDIA partner in Bengal, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], accusing it of dictating terms in the alliance. She expressed her discontent, stating, “I suggested the name INDIA, but I am sad to say that when I attend the alliance meeting, I see the CPI(M) controlling it. I cannot agree with those with whom I have fought for 34 years.”
In a direct jab at the Congress, Banerjee questioned the commitment of other politicians in taking on the BJP. She asserted, “How many politicians today have taken the BJP head on? How many politicians today have hit the streets? Somebody goes to a temple, and thinks that is sufficient. It is not so. I am the only one who took out a rally, visited a temple, gurdwara, church and mosque.”
The CPI(M) has denied the TMC’s claims and stated that it would not participate in the Rahul Yatra if the TMC was present.
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