In a significant setback for the opposition's "INDIA" alliance, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Wednesday that her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state independently. The decision comes after failed seat-sharing talks with the Congress, a crucial member of the opposition bloc.
Banerjee expressed her disappointment with the Congress, stating, "Whatever proposal I gave them, they have refused all. Since then, we have decided to go alone in Bengal." The announcement followed a heated exchange with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who criticized Banerjee, labelling her an opportunist, and asserted that Congress would contest the elections without TMC's assistance.
Reports suggest that TMC is likely to field candidates in all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Despite Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attempting to reconcile with Banerjee, emphasizing their closeness, Banerjee remained displeased, revealing that the Congress did not even inform her about their planned Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in West Bengal.
Banerjee's decision complicates the opposition's strategy to present a united front against the ruling BJP in the upcoming polls. She emphasized the importance of regional parties taking on the BJP in their respective areas, suggesting that the Congress focus on contesting the BJP in 300 seats. However, Banerjee cautioned that interference from the Congress in regional matters could prompt regional parties to "rethink" their approach.
Raising concerns about the leadership and unity of the opposition alliance, Banerjee openly questioned the Congress's role in the alliance, adding an additional layer of complexity to the opposition's electoral strategy.