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In a surprising turn of events, Mamata Banerjee’s announcement of going solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal has left the Opposition INDIA bloc in a state of disarray. The Congress, responding to Banerjee’s decision, emphasized that an alliance without the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo is inconceivable.

Addressing the media in a press conference, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh acknowledged the shock caused by Mamata Banerjee’s decision. He underscored the significance of the TMC as “a strong pillar” within the INDIA bloc and expressed the party’s inability to imagine the bloc without Mamata Banerjee.

“Mamata Banerjee stated that the goal is to defeat the BJP, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes. Rahul Gandhi has clearly stated that Mamata Ji and the TMC are integral to the strength of the INDIA bloc. We cannot fathom the existence of the INDIA bloc without Mamata Ji,” Ramesh affirmed.

Ramesh further assured that despite the unexpected development, the INDIA bloc would continue to function as a united front in West Bengal. He expressed optimism about fruitful seat-sharing discussions with the TMC in the future.

“The alliance will operate cohesively in West Bengal. Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) has extended invitations multiple times, stating that all INDIA bloc parties are welcome to join the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,” Ramesh stated.

Amidst uncertainties caused by Banerjee’s solo decision, Ramesh conveyed the INDIA bloc’s commitment to uniting against the BJP. He announced that the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, currently progressing in Assam, would extend into West Bengal with the same purpose.

“While on a long journey, speed breakers and red lights may come our way,” Ramesh noted, symbolizing the challenges faced during such political journeys.

Mamata Banerjee’s decision to sever ties with the Congress emerged following a public exchange with West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The TMC leader claimed that the grand old party did not inform her about their planned Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, raising questions about communication within the bloc.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee wrote to the high-level committee on “One Nation, One Election” expressing her disagreement with the concept of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and assemblies, and said it would be against the basic structure of India’s constitutional arrangements.

In a letter to the panel secretary, Banerjee said that in 1952, the first general elections were simultaneously conducted for the central and state levels.

“There was such simultaneity for some years. But the coevality has since been ruptured…,” she said. “I regret that I cannot agree with the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’, as framed by you. We disagree with your formulation and proposal,” she wrote.

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