Lok Sabha Polls: Mamata Banerjee's TMC To Go Solo In Bengal As Seat-Sharing Talks With Congress Hits Roadblock

Amid disagreements over seat-sharing, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is gearing up to contest all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that TMC will fight alone and urged party leaders to focus on preparing for the elections independently, dismissing the need for seat-sharing talks.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone defeat BJP. I am a part of the INDIA alliance. Rahul Gandhi's Nyay Yatra is passing through our state but we have not been informed about it..."

ALSO READ: Manipur: Security Heightened In Imphal Ahead Of Key Meet Called By Arambai Tenggol At Kangla Fort

A senior TMC leader earlier revealed, "Our party supremo clearly said that we don't need to think about seat-sharing talks with the Congress. She said that the party had offered two seats to them. But the Congress at times is demanding 10-12 seats," as quoted by news agency PTI.

This development arises from tensions among INDIA bloc allies in the state regarding seat allocation.

CM Banerjee criticised the Congress for delaying seat-sharing discussions, citing an "unjustified" demand for 10-12 Lok Sabha constituencies. The TMC is willing to offer only two seats to the Congress, based on its better performance in those constituencies during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

State Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a vocal critic of the TMC, labeled Mamata Banerjee an "opportunist," asserting that the Congress would not participate in elections at her mercy. Soon after, Rahul Gandhi came to damage control and said that Mamata Banerjee is "very close" to him and downplaying the impact of such comments on the ongoing negotiations.

ALSO READ: Assam Rifles Personnel Kills Self After Opening Fire At Colleagues In Manipur; Six Injured

"The negotiations on seat-sharing are underway; I don't want to comment here. But Mamata Banerjee is very close to me and our party. Sometimes our leaders say something, their leaders say something, and it goes on. It's a natural thing. Such comments won't matter and these are not things that are going to disrupt things," Gandhi said.