Mamata Banerjee Fears PM Modi Will Be Unhappy: Congress Leader On Alliance Snub
Mamata Banerjee”s Trinamool Congress has stirred political waters in West Bengal by announcing candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, sidelining the Congress despite their alliance within the INDIA bloc. The move, which includes fielding former cricketer Yusuf Pathan in the Bahrampore constituency, has drawn sharp criticism from Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury.
Mr Chowdhury accused Banerjee of disregarding the INDIA alliance and prioritizing her party”s interests over opposition unity against the BJP. He alleged that Pathan”s nomination in Bahrampore aims to polarize voters and aid the BJP, suggesting a calculated strategy to weaken the Congress in the region.
#WATCH | Murshidabad, West Bengal: Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Chowdhury says, “If TMC wanted to honour Yusuf Pathan, they should”ve sent him to the Rajya Sabha instead of sending “outsiders”… If Mamata Banerjee had good intentions for Yusuf Pathan, she would have… pic.twitter.com/hbV3D42aTo
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024
In a scathing rebuke, Mr Chowdhury questioned Banerjee”s intentions, insinuating that her actions are driven by fear of displeasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He accused Banerjee of sending a message to the PMO by distancing herself from the INDIA alliance, indicating a willingness to avoid confrontation with the BJP.
Furthermore, Mr Chowdhury criticized Banerjee”s decision not to allocate Pathan a seat in Gujarat, suggesting that her motives are geared towards consolidating power within West Bengal rather than promoting genuine representation for Pathan.
“If TMC wanted to honour Yusuf Pathan, they should”ve sent him to the Rajya Sabha instead of sending “outsiders”… If Mamata Banerjee had good intentions for Yusuf Pathan, she would have asked alliance (INDIA alliance) for a seat for him (Yusuf Pathan) in Gujarat. But here in West Bengal, he is selected as a candidate to polarise the common man and to help the BJP, so that Congress can be defeated… Mamata Banerjee has proven today that none of the political parties of India should trust a leader like her… Mamata Banerjee is in fear that if she continues to be in the INDIA alliance, PM Modi will be unhappy. By separating herself from the INDIA alliance, she has sent a message to the PMO, don”t be unhappy with me, I am not standing to fight against the BJP,” he said in a video posted by news agency ANI.
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As the Trinamool announced its candidates, Congress’ general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh also criticised Mamata Banerjee for not adhering to the INDIA bloc discussions happened before. He said Congress has repeatedly declared its desire to have a respectable seat-sharing agreement with the TMC in West Bengal. “The Indian National Congress has always maintained that such an agreement has to be finalised through negotiations and not by unilateral announcements. The Indian National Congress has always wanted the INDIA group to fight the BJP together,” he wrote on X.
The Indian National Congress has repeatedly declared its desire to have a respectable seat-sharing agreement with the TMC in West Bengal. The Indian National Congress has always maintained that such an agreement has to be finalised through negotiations and not by unilateral…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 10, 2024
While the Congress has secured alliances in several other states, including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, the rift with Trinamool Congress in West Bengal underscores the complexities within the opposition camp as they gear up for the upcoming elections.
