Kolkata: Senior Bengal Congress leaders on Saturday spoke in different voices on whether the party would enter into an alliance with Trinamool in the state.
Bengal Congress president Adhir Chowdhury reiterated that he and Congress were “ready to fight on their own against both TMC and BJP” and even questioned the ‘real intent’ of Trinamool and CM Mamata Banerjee.“In Bengal, Congress is fighting on its own. It can fight on its own. What TMC discusses with whom, is entirely their matter. They (TMC) have already said that they are fighting with the alliance in the country, not in Bengal. This has nothing to do with us,” Chowdhury said.
Following this, three-time Malda South MP Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury shot back, “Who is Adhir Chowdhury? Congress wants alliance (with TMC). And if AICC decides (on the alliance), Adhir Chowdhury has to obey.”
Chowdhury’s comment also prompted TMC leader and minister Firhad Hakim to say, “Who is Adhir Chowdhury to say this? He has given away all assembly seats which fall under Behrampore Lok Sabha to BJP. When CPM opened fire on July 21 (1993), we had Congress flags in our hands. Adhir has joined hands with CPM against which Mamata Banerjee has fought all her life. Dalu Babu (Khan Choudhury) has also realised that whatever Adhir is saying is unacceptable. That is why there are protests.”
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “Yes, Adhir Chowdhury has fought alone in the past. And he got a big zero (in the 2021 assembly polls). It is TMC which has defeated BJP in Bengal. And CM Mamata Banerjee will take a final call (on the alliance) based on people’s priorities.”
On Friday, TOI had reported that TMC leaders had indicated they were “running out of patience” on the alliance talks.
Amid the debate, senior Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya wrote to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to include Kolkata in the proposed route for his Nyay Yatra. In his letter, Bhattacharya requested Gandhi to see if the rally could pass through districts like Birbhum, East Burdwan, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Nadia. He said this was crucial to boost the morale of party workers. The letter bore an indirect reference that with help from party brass, Congress could put up a good show in Bengal without any alliance.
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Bengal Congress president Adhir Chowdhury reiterated that he and Congress were “ready to fight on their own against both TMC and BJP” and even questioned the ‘real intent’ of Trinamool and CM Mamata Banerjee.“In Bengal, Congress is fighting on its own. It can fight on its own. What TMC discusses with whom, is entirely their matter. They (TMC) have already said that they are fighting with the alliance in the country, not in Bengal. This has nothing to do with us,” Chowdhury said.
Following this, three-time Malda South MP Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury shot back, “Who is Adhir Chowdhury? Congress wants alliance (with TMC). And if AICC decides (on the alliance), Adhir Chowdhury has to obey.”
Chowdhury’s comment also prompted TMC leader and minister Firhad Hakim to say, “Who is Adhir Chowdhury to say this? He has given away all assembly seats which fall under Behrampore Lok Sabha to BJP. When CPM opened fire on July 21 (1993), we had Congress flags in our hands. Adhir has joined hands with CPM against which Mamata Banerjee has fought all her life. Dalu Babu (Khan Choudhury) has also realised that whatever Adhir is saying is unacceptable. That is why there are protests.”
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “Yes, Adhir Chowdhury has fought alone in the past. And he got a big zero (in the 2021 assembly polls). It is TMC which has defeated BJP in Bengal. And CM Mamata Banerjee will take a final call (on the alliance) based on people’s priorities.”
On Friday, TOI had reported that TMC leaders had indicated they were “running out of patience” on the alliance talks.
Amid the debate, senior Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya wrote to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to include Kolkata in the proposed route for his Nyay Yatra. In his letter, Bhattacharya requested Gandhi to see if the rally could pass through districts like Birbhum, East Burdwan, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Nadia. He said this was crucial to boost the morale of party workers. The letter bore an indirect reference that with help from party brass, Congress could put up a good show in Bengal without any alliance.
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Time running out for Congress to seal deal on West Bengal seats: TMC
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s TMC urges Congress to finalize seat-sharing deal in Bengal by December 31. TMC has offered two seats to Congress based on previous election outcomes. Mamata asserts TMC’s primacy in Bengal and challenges Congress to prove they are not BJP’s ‘B-team’. Mamata also suggests Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal lead Lok Sabha fights in UP and Delhi/Punjab respectively.
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s TMC urges Congress to finalize seat-sharing deal in Bengal by December 31. TMC has offered two seats to Congress based on previous election outcomes. Mamata asserts TMC’s primacy in Bengal and challenges Congress to prove they are not BJP’s ‘B-team’. Mamata also suggests Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal lead Lok Sabha fights in UP and Delhi/Punjab respectively.
Bengal leg to be Anyay Yatra if theres political motive: TMC
Trinamool Congress criticizes Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra in Bengal, calling it Anyay Yatra. TMC spokesperson states that Bengal was not on Gandhi’s previous Yatra route, but it is now included. TMC clarifies that they are fighting against the BJP in Bengal. Bengal Congress leaders propose to include three Lok Sabha constituencies in the Yatra route. Suvendu Adhikari of BJP predicts that Congress will face defeat in the upcoming elections and ensure a Congress-mukt Bharat.
Trinamool Congress criticizes Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra in Bengal, calling it Anyay Yatra. TMC spokesperson states that Bengal was not on Gandhi’s previous Yatra route, but it is now included. TMC clarifies that they are fighting against the BJP in Bengal. Bengal Congress leaders propose to include three Lok Sabha constituencies in the Yatra route. Suvendu Adhikari of BJP predicts that Congress will face defeat in the upcoming elections and ensure a Congress-mukt Bharat.
‘Will hold discussions with party chiefs in states where alliances could be formed’: Bhupesh Baghel after Congress panel meet
Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel attended the inaugural meeting of the Congress’s National Alliance Committee with Ashok Gehlot, Mukul Wasnik, and Mohan Prakash. The committee will hold discussions with state presidents regarding seat-sharing agreements with like-minded partners. The high command will be briefed about these meetings before further discussions within the INDIA bloc. The NAC was formed earlier this week and is responsible for potential alliances and seat-sharing deals for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The INDIA partners also passed a resolution against the use of EVMs and the suspension of Opposition MPs.
Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel attended the inaugural meeting of the Congress’s National Alliance Committee with Ashok Gehlot, Mukul Wasnik, and Mohan Prakash. The committee will hold discussions with state presidents regarding seat-sharing agreements with like-minded partners. The high command will be briefed about these meetings before further discussions within the INDIA bloc. The NAC was formed earlier this week and is responsible for potential alliances and seat-sharing deals for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The INDIA partners also passed a resolution against the use of EVMs and the suspension of Opposition MPs.