Why TMC Is Hesitating To Forge Alliance With Congress In Bengal? Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Says This

The Congress party would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections independently in West Bengal, pointing out the dilemma within the Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress for the potential alliance, as announced by the West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday in Murshidabad.

Chowdhury, addressing a press conference at the Congress party office in Murshidabad, said, "We have said this many times that Congress will fight alone in West Bengal."

He pointed out the apparent dilemma within the TMC regarding the alliance, suggesting that the party has yet to reach a decisive conclusion. Chowdhury remarked, "They (TMC) are in a dilemma. There should be an official yes or no from the party Supremo (Mamata Banerjee). They are not saying officially that the process of forging the alliance has ended. Because they are in a dilemma."

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The Congress leader highlighted the internal conflicts within the TMC, speculating on the reasons behind their indecision. He mentioned concerns within the TMC about potential consequences from both minority voters and the central government, which have contributed to the lack of a clear decision regarding the alliance.

"The first dilemma is a section of the party believes that if they contest alone, without the INDIA alliance, then the minorities of West Bengal will vote against them. One section of the TMC wants the alliance to continue. Another section is in another dilemma that if the alliance is given more importance in Bengal, then the Modi government will use ED, and CBI against them. Because of these two dilemmas, the TMC has not been able to make a clear decision.Maybe there are some talks in Delhi, but I don't have any such information," he said.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and TMC supremo, had earlier declared the party's intention to contest solo in the state, severing ties with the Congress and dealing a blow to the opposition INDIA bloc.

"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 the BJP," the TMC supremo had said.

Meanwhile, the INDIA alliance partners, AAP and Congress, finalised a seat-sharing agreement for several states, including Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Goa.

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Additionally, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party reached a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, expanding the Congress's electoral footprint beyond its traditional strongholds. Apart from its bastions Rae Bareli and Amethi, the Congress will also contest Varanasi, Ghaziabad, and Kanpur.