New Delhi: As the Lok Sabha elections loom on the horizon, public sparring within the Oppositions INDIA bloc has taken center stage. On Thursday, alliance partners Congress and TMC found themselves at odds over seat sharing in West Bengal, with Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asserting that Mamata Banerjees trustworthiness is in question, suggesting that it is the Grand Old Party that holds the key to victory.TMC counters Congress claimsIn a robust response, the TMC defended its position, highlighting that it secured victory in the 2021 assembly elections independently, while Congress, in alliance with the Left, failed to win any seats. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh asserted, TMC fought alone and came to power, whereas Congress allied with the Left and won zero seats… Nobody needs Congress in WB. But for the spirit of the INDIA alliance, TMC is supporting Congress, and Mamata Banerjee will make the final call.Ghosh further questioned Congresss demand for eight seats, pointing out their inability to secure a single victory out of 294 seats in the Assembly Elections, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing political discourse.Congress questions TMCs intentionsAddressing the media earlier in Murshidabad regarding the Trinamool Congress (TMC) offering two seats to Congress for the upcoming polls, Chowdhury expressed skepticism about Banerjees true intentions. He remarked, What new are they giving us We won these two seats by defeating Mamata Banerjee and the BJP. What favour are they doing to us Who will trust her (Mamata Banerjee) It is Mamata who needs Congress to win… Congress can fight and is capable of winning more seats on its own. We will show. We dont need to keep these two seats on Mamatas pity.Mamata Banerjees solo aspirationsIn a significant development last December, Mamata Banerjee hinted at the TMCs desire to contest the 2024 elections independently, emphasising that her party alone possesses the prowess to confront the BJP in West Bengal. The TMCs resounding victory in the 2021 Assembly elections solidified its standing in the state, leaving the BJP trailing far behind.As the political landscape in West Bengal continues to evolve, the dynamics within the INDIA bloc have become increasingly nuanced. The unfolding rifts between Congress and TMC underscore the challenges faced by the Opposition as the Lok Sabha elections draw nearer.
