In the build-up to the Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), will go solo, eschewing seat-sharing with the Congress party. Despite being a member of the INDIA alliance, Banerjee has criticized the Congress and Left parties, calling herself an 'opportunist' and asserting TMC's secular credentials to independently defeat the BJP in Bengal. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has downplayed Banerjee's attack, maintaining that TMC is an integral part of the alliance. The Congress party has also shown confidence in its electoral capabilities, citing its previous victories over TMC and BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has seized on these developments, with National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla remarking that the 'allies of INDIA themselves are demolishing the palace.'
Mumbai: On Mamata Banerjee's statement, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray says "I have come to know from the media, but let me see what Mamata ji has said, Mamata ji is fighting like a tigress in Bengal, her fight in West Bengal is extremely important. https://t.co/wvd4M0PuSQ
#WATCH | On Mamata Banerjee's statement, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar says, "This alliance is unnatural because, in West Bengal, Congress and CPM are fighting against Mamata Banerjee. A while ago, in the Panchayat elections, Congress and CPM were thrashed by TMC… https://t.co/mF07uY3GSd
#WATCH | On TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee saying "Will fight alone" during Lok Sabha polls in Bengal, Karnataka BJP leader R Ashok says, " I welcome Mamata Banerjee's stand. Congress is a 'nalayak' party..." https://t.co/6UlurOk2fI
#WATCH | Barpeta | On Mamata Banerjee's remark, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, "TMC is a pillar of the INDIA alliance. We cannot imagine the INDIA alliance without Mamata ji. Tomorrow our Yatra is entering West Bengal. Discussions… https://t.co/QrR4XYIEKq
#WATCH | Barpeta, Assam | Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, "Assam CM has lodged FIR against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Jitendra Singh, Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupen Borah, Debabrata Saikia, me & other Congress leaders. This is a political FIR and… https://t.co/iMQ8jJzdYU
#WATCH | Barpeta, Assam | Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, "Mamata Banerjee said that we want to defeat BJP and we will do anything to defeat the BJP...Rahul Gandhi clearly said that Mamata ji and TMC are a very strong pillar of the INDIA… https://t.co/jfRwxvv1S3
#WATCH | On Mamata Banerjee's remark, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto, says "...Mamata Banerjee and her party are an important part of the INDIA alliance. They are with us and we will fight it strongly. If she has made a statement, this could be part… https://t.co/pSj5xA2HxF
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says "I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone." https://t.co/KM8jfKT9v5
#WATCH | On statements of Mamata Banerjee, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury & Rahul Gandhi regarding seat-sharing between Congress and TMC for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "...Allies of INDI themselves are demolishing the palace of… https://t.co/PBftPRT7kn
#WATCH | Patna: On Mamata Banerjee's INDIA alliance remark, RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "Please wait for some time...Maybe the statement was given in some particular situation...If there is a conflict then the alliance (INDIA) would solve it..." https://t.co/oRVcNqkZun
#WATCH | Patna: On Mamata Banerjee's INDIA alliance remark, Manoj Jha says, "Please wait for some time...Maybe the statement was given in some particular situation...If there is a conflict then the alliance (INDIA) would solve it..." https://t.co/3CEqCTYRjP
#WATCH | Delhi: On Mamata Banerjee's INDIA alliance remark, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "TMC is a big party in West Bengal, Congress and the Left has always been fighting against them. So seat sharing with TMC will be a little difficult. The issues between them will be… https://t.co/caHzR2sLgZ
STORY | Have not spoken to anyone in Congress on seat-sharing in Bengal for Lok Sabha polls: Mamata Banerjee READ: https://t.co/I6p3Sl1oYT VIDEO: https://t.co/tHZxz7cZgI
#WestBengal CM Mamata Banerjee says "I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone." https://t.co/IwGwesW4jT
VIDEO | "They (Congress) are doing rally (in Bengal), but they did not inform me. I am a part of the INDIA alliance, as a courtesy they should have informed me that 'Didi I am coming to your state'. We are a secular party and will do whatever we can to defeat the BJP," says West… https://t.co/XXfEipxqUY
VIDEO | "They (Congress) are doing rally (in Bengal), but they did not inform me. I am the part of the INDIA alliance, as a courtesy they should have informed me that 'Didi I am coming to your state. We are a secular party and will do whatever we can to defeat the BJP," says West… https://t.co/YXpJbHuWWW
Have not spoken to anyone in Congress: Mamata Banerjee on seat-sharing in Bengal for LS polls
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says "I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone defeat BJP. I am a part of… https://t.co/VK2HH3arJI
VIDEO | “We will not contest the elections at the mercy of Mamata Banerjee. Congress knows how to contest elections on its own, and the two seats we have won (in 2019 Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal) were by defeating Mamata and BJP. Mamta is an opportunist; she herself came to… https://t.co/LjWoVGgY35
Congress leader #RahulGandhi downplays TMC Supremo #MamataBanerjee's attack on INDIA alliance. NDTV's @MickyGupta84 with more details. https://t.co/GGzKU7Um4B
VIDEO | "She (Mamata Banerjee) should leave the INDIA alliance because no one trusts her there and they don't value her much. The Left and Congress are controlling everything, and if Mamata Banerjee is ready to work under them, then she should continue to be in the INDIA… https://t.co/37coRmNwIg