Rahul Gandhi thinks alliance with TMC would be 'disastrous'
Days after he openly voiced support for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it appears that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has no intention of forging an alliance with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Apparently, Gandhi has agreed with West Bengal Congress leaders that an alliance with the TMC would be "disastrous" for the grand old party. Here's more.
RaGa's views were confirmed by WB Congress chief Soumen Mitra
Gandhi's views on a Congress-TMC alliance came to light after West Bengal Congress chief Soumen Mitra spoke on it on Saturday. Speaking to media, Mitra said that Gandhi was on the same page with WB Congress leaders that an alliance with TMC would be detrimental to the Congress. The Congress chief has also left it to the state leadership to decide its electoral strategy.
What Mitra said on prospects of a Congress-TMC alliance
"Our party president has agreed with our views that aligning with TMC would be a disaster for the party in the state as it is because of TMC that BJP is gaining ground in Bengal. Rahulji has told us to prepare our own strategy," Mitra told news agency PTI.
Is an alliance with the Left on the cards?
A majority of the members of the West Bengal Congress are also against working with the TMC as they feel that the TMC, since coming into power in 2011, has worked towards weakening the Congress by poaching its MLAs. Asked whether the Congress would be open to forging an alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front, Mitra said that matter was being considered.
Will talk to secular and democratic forces: Mitra
"We would talk to secular and democratic forces, including the Left. But before initiating talks we would discuss the matter within our party," said Mitra.
Meanwhile, the Congress has been reviewing election preparedness
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Gandhi held a meeting with the Congress state chiefs and other members of the top brass to review the party's preparations for the upcoming elections. During the meeting, Gandhi asked senior office bearers to party aggressively against what the Modi government's alleged "dictatorial style" of governance, and its apathy towards "burning issues" such as farmers' distress and unemployment.
