Mamata Banerjee rules out alliances with CPM, Congress, asserts TMC's independent path to Centre

PTC Web Desk: Amidst growing discord within the Opposition alliance, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, leader of the ruling TMC, has announced that her party is prepared to form a government at the Centre with like-minded regional partners after the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a public event in West Bengal, Mamata categorically rejected any alliance with the CPM, citing past instances of violence against Opposition activists during their rule in the state.

Expressing confidence in forming the government in Delhi, Mamata Banerjee asserted that the specifics of the alliance and government formation would be decided through discussions with regional parties post the Lok Sabha elections. Notably, she ruled out collaborating with the Left, a partner in the INDIA bloc, for the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal, citing historical instances of violence and atrocities allegedly committed by the CPM.

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Mamata Banerjee had previously dismissed the possibility of an alliance with the Congress, emphasising her party's capability to independently contest and defeat the BJP-led NDA in the state. Blaming the Congress for the breakdown in seat-sharing talks, Mamata's nephew and prominent TMC leader, Abhishek Banerjee, accused the grand old party of procrastination in the matter.

The INDIA bloc, comprising various opposition parties, witnessed fractures as Mamata distanced herself from the Congress, and Nitish Kumar, JD(U) chief, dealt a blow to the alliance by rejoining the BJP-led NDA. Nitish also withdrew from the grand alliance in Bihar, marking a significant shift in political alignments.