Divided we stand? Mamata's solo decision rocks India bloc ahead of Bengal polls

West Bengal: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declares her party, TMC, will contest the 2026 state elections solo, blaming Congress and AAP for opposition failures and asserting TMC's strength.Banerjee's decision sends ripples through the INDIA bloc, even as Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut urges continued dialogue between TMC and Congress.

"We Alone Are Enough": Banerjee's Bold Declaration

Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal's Chief Minister and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has firmly ruled out any pre-poll alliance with the Congress party for the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections. Addressing TMC lawmakers, Banerjee expressed confidence that her party is strong enough to secure a two-thirds majority on its own. She pointed to the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) failure to support each other in Delhi and Haryana elections, resulting in BJP victories, as a key reason for her decision. "The Congress did not help the AAP in Delhi. In Haryana, the AAP did not help the Congress... But the Congress has nothing in Bengal. I will fight alone. We alone are enough," a source quoted Banerjee.

INDIA Bloc Implications and Raut's Counterpoint

Banerjee's decision has implications for the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties aiming to challenge the BJP at the national level. Despite Banerjee emphasizing the need for understanding among like-minded parties to prevent the division of anti-BJP votes, she remains adamant about contesting independently in Bengal. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has responded by suggesting that Banerjee "should always continue to have a dialogue with Congress," given Congress's significant role in the INDIA bloc.

Internal Reshuffle and Strong Message to TMC Leaders

Beyond alliance politics, Banerjee delivered a strong message to her own party. She warned against infighting and factionalism, emphasizing that she alone will make organizational decisions. Banerjee surprised leaders by stating that she has "no family," declaring that the party and the people are her family. She announced a comprehensive reshuffle of the party structure from the state to booth level and tasked senior leader Arup Biswas with collecting suggestions for new office bearers. Banerjee also voiced her opinion that the arrest of former food minister Jyotipriyo Mallick in the ration scam was "unfair".