West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to refrain from forming an alliance in Bengal has created a stir within the INDIA bloc, although other constituents are downplaying any division in the alliance.
RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Manoj Jha, emphasized that the statement might be situational, stating, “Please wait for some time…Maybe the statement was given in some particular situation…If there is a conflict then the alliance (INDIA) would solve it…”
AAP, currently engaged in negotiations with Congress on seat sharing in Delhi and Punjab, is optimistic that any differences between the parties and the alliance will be resolved. Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “TMC is a big party in West Bengal, Congress and the Left has always been fighting against them. So seat sharing with TMC will be a little difficult. The issues between them will be resolved. Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi are committed to the success of the INDIA bloc. We are hopeful that all parties in the INDIA bloc will fight elections together…”
On the sidelines, the BJP, observing the alliance’s internal conflicts, criticized it as one of confusion and corruption. BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla remarked, “Allies of INDI themselves are demolishing the palace of their alliance every day…They are just full of confusion, corruption and people who further family profession.”
The breakdown in the alliance between Trinamool Congress and Congress occurred after Trinamool’s Mamata Banerjee declared that her party would fight alone in Bengal. She asserted, “I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone…We have decided to fight the elections in Bengal alone.”
This decision, coupled with ongoing tensions between Trinamool and Congress, raises doubts about the INDIA bloc’s ability to present a united front against the BJP in the upcoming elections.
