Trinamool To Fight Lok Sabha Elections Alone In West Bengal: Report
After finding it difficult to reach a consensus, and cracks appeared open with statements from senior leaders of both Congress and Trinamool, Mamata Banerjee announced today that her party will fight ensuing Lok Sabha elections alone. This is considered to be a major setback for the opposition”s “INDIA” bloc ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
“I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone,” said Mamata Banerjee, as quoted by the Times of India. “I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone will defeat BJP,” the TMC leader added. Notably, Mamata Banerjee also claimed that she had not been informed of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi”s Nyay Yatra passing through Bengal. “As a matter of courtesy, they haven”t even informed me they are going to hold a yatra in Bengal,” the TMC leader said, as quoted by India Today.
Earlier on Tuesday, West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury severely criticised Mamata Banerjee over seat-sharing in the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Congress leader also called Mamata Banerjee an “opportunist” and stated that the elections would not be fought at her mercy. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also added that the TMC leader came to power in 2011 with the “mercy” of Congress. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi said that the West Bengal CM is “very close” to him. Rahul Gandhi also added that the comments of leaders over seat-sharing “won”t matter.”
Meanwhile, RJD MP Manoj Jha responded to Mamata Banerjee”s statement and told ANI that “maybe the statement was given in some particular situation.” Manoj Jha also said that INDIA bloc will solve the conflict. In the upcoming general elections, the INDIA bloc, comprising Congress, TMC, and other opposition parties, is set to take on the BJP. In Bengal, TMC has suggested that seat sharing should be done based on each party”s performance. Notably, the TMC is reportedly willing to offer only two seats to Congress in West Bengal.
