‘I made INDIA alliance in Bengal, don’t waste vote on Congress’: Mamata Banerjee

In Short

• Mamata Banerjee says she made INDIA alliance in Bengal
• She asks people not to cast votes in favour of Congress, CPI (M)
• Mamata Banerjee had said her party would contest Lok Sabha polls alone

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, vehemently criticized the opposition bloc comprising the CPI (M) and Congress, alleging their collaboration with the BJP in the state.

Addressing a poll campaign rally in Murshidabad, Banerjee declared the dissolution of the opposition front in West Bengal, asserting that the INDIA alliance had collapsed due to the actions of CPI (M) and Congress aligning with the BJP.

Asserting her pivotal role in forming the opposition alliance INDIA, Banerjee emphasized that she initiated the alliance and even coined its name. However, she expressed dismay over the CPI (M) and Congress allegedly siding with the BJP within West Bengal’s political landscape.

Banerjee urged the electorate not to support Congress and CPI (M) at the polls, emphasizing that doing so would inadvertently benefit the BJP. This statement reflects her political strategy aimed at consolidating anti-BJP votes in the state.

In a departure from earlier indications of cooperation, Banerjee reiterated her party’s decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal independently, rejecting overtures from the Congress leadership for a seat-sharing arrangement.

Further, Banerjee accused the BJP of instigating violence during Ram Navami celebrations in the state, particularly citing pre-planned violence in the Murshidabad district.

This accusation underscores the volatile political environment in West Bengal and the ongoing confrontation between Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP.

In response to Banerjee’s allegations, the BJP countered by holding her accountable for the failure to protect Bengali Hindus, particularly citing incidents of violence during Ram Navami celebrations in Murshidabad district.

This exchange highlights the escalating political tensions between the ruling TMC and the BJP in West Bengal.