Congress-TMC alliance in Bengal?

Fuelling speculations over the possibility of entering into an alliance in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress state unit president Somen Mitra on Tuesday said TMC leaders are observing whether the parties will enter into an alliance.

“The TMC workers are regularly joining the Congress. But their leaders are hesitant as they still want to see whether TMC joins hands with Congress,” said Mitra.

Even as he reiterated that the state leadership has conveyed their unwillingness to enter into an alliance with the TMC to the high command, Mitra said: “We are the state unit of a national party. We have conveyed our decision to the central party. Now it is up to them to take a final call on the matter,” said Mitra.

Support to rally

As for the open support by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi for the Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) mega Opposition rally, Mitra said that they had just expressed their moral support for those fighting against the BJP at the national level.

AICC observer in Bengal Gaurav Gogoi indicated that the state leadership’s decision regarding an alliance with the TMC may be reversed by the party high command.

“I am not the authorised person to decide on the matter. I am only a medium and will convey the issue to Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He will take the final call on the matter,” said Gogoi.

The state Congress leadership is already in a spot after the high command sent the leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi to the TMC’s mega Opposition rally.

This has also raised doubts in the CPM’s mind.