E-Paper
‘Cong losing credibility’: Mamata calls for united front of regional parties
Mamata Banerjee’s statement comes a day the BJP won a historic mandate in Uttar Pradesh and retained power in Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa; while Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party scripted a stellar victory in Punjab, winning a three-fourth majority pulverising the Congress.
Renewing her call for an anti-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday called upon the regional political parties to “work together”, and asserted that “depending on the Congress will not serve any purpose... the party is losing credibility”.
“I want all political parties, who want to fight the BJP, must fight together. Depending on the Congress will not serve any purpose. There was a time when Congress was in power in multiple states, but now the party is losing credibility. Regional political parties must work together There may be a decision on this,” Banerjee said.
“If the opposition is fractured, the vote would get divided. Akhilesh Yadav had to fight alone against Mayawati, the Congress and the BJP. Likewise, we in West Bengal fought against BJP, CPIM and Congress. The BJP got an advantage as the opposition vote was divided,” she added.
Her statement comes a day the BJP won a historic mandate in Uttar Pradesh and retained power in Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa; while Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party scripted a stellar victory in Punjab, winning a three-fourth majority pulverising the Congress.
Asked whether she would take any initiative to unite the Opposition, Banerjee said: “There are many other leaders. Let’s see who takes the initiative. I will be there if there is any initiative.”
Commenting on the performance of the Congress in the five states, Banerjee said, “It is for them to decide on what they want to do. But I think all opposition parties must come together to defeat the BJP. There is no need to wait for the Congress,” she added.
The Congress, however, hit back pointing out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s and her stand were similar, with one seeking a “Congress `Mukt’ (Free) India” and the other, an “Opposition coalition sans Congress.”
“The TMC has lost its relevance after the election results in five states. Now Aam Admi Party has more relevance than the TMC. Banerjee’s party contested Goa but failed to secure even one seat. She went to Uttar Pradesh and campaigned against the Congress thus strengthening the BJP. The result was that even Samajwadi Party lost,” said Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, head of the Congress party in West Bengal.
Reacting to Narendra Modi’s comments that the 2022 verdict decided the outcome of 2024, Banerjee said that one should be more submissive and positive after a win.
“They have decided everything about a child which is yet to be born. This is impractical. Who can say what will happen in these two years,” the TMC supremo said, adding that “The party which wins becomes more submissive. But Modi became aggressive from day one after winning the election. This is the sign of downfall.”
The BJP, however, said that the TMC was enjoying steady progress downwards and should aim for 2029 Lok Sabha polls, as the 2024 results have been decided.
“The TMC is making steady downward progress. In Goa, it secured the sixth position after NOTA. They should aim for the 2029 polls. The people have already decided the fate of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” said Samik Bhattacharya, BJP spokesperson in West Bengal.
Earlier in the day, political strategist Prashant Kishor said that the battle for India will be fought and decided in 2024 and not in any state.
“Battle for India will be fought and decided in 2024 & not in any state #elections Saheb knows this! Hence this clever attempt to create a frenzy around the state results to establish a decisive psychological advantage over the opposition. Don’t fall or be part of this false narrative,” Kishor tweeted on Friday.
