Following Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee’s declaration that her party would independently contest in Bengal, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized the significance of TMC within the INDIA alliance, asserting that the alliance cannot be envisioned without Mamata Banerjee. Ramesh conveyed optimism, stating, “When the journey is long, there can be some speed breakers in the path, and there can be a red light as well, but that does not mean that we should stop the journey itself. The journey continues; we cross the speed breakers, and red lights turn green.”
Ramesh referred to Rahul Gandhi’s acknowledgment that TMC, particularly Mamata Banerjee, is a crucial pillar of the INDIA alliance. He affirmed, “We cannot imagine the INDIA alliance without Mamata Banerjee, and we hope that we will enter West Bengal with the same feeling of defeating the BJP as said by Mamata Banerjee.” Ramesh expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved, and the INDIA alliance would unite to contest in West Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee’s decision to go solo in Bengal dealt a setback to the INDIA bloc. Banerjee clarified that she had no discussions with the Congress and highlighted her party’s determination to fight alone in Bengal. She criticized the lack of information regarding Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra passing through Bengal, emphasizing that there was no relation with her regarding Bengal within the INDIA bloc.
Addressing the breakdown in the Trinamool-Congress alliance, state unit chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury accused Mamata Banerjee of opportunism and claimed that she had come to power in 2011 with the mercy of Congress. Rahul Gandhi, attempting to ease tensions, emphasized his positive relationship with Mamata Banerjee during his Nyay Yatra in Assam.
Reports suggested that Trinamool Congress was willing to offer the Congress a maximum of three Lok Sabha seats out of the 42 in Bengal. With Mamata Banerjee’s announcement of going alone, the doors for the Congress in Bengal seem closed, raising questions about the ability of the INDIA bloc to form a united front against the BJP.