TMC lacks honest intentions as anti-BJP force: WB Congress chief
West Bengal Congress President Somen Mitra has said that it would be better for his party to go it alone in the state in the next Lok Sabha election as the ruling TMC "lacks honest intentions" as an anti-BJP force. The Congress should prepare itself to fight alone against the BJP as well as the TMC in the state, he asserted.
WB Congress leaders in favor of going solo in polls
Majority of WB Congress leaders are in favor of going solo in the polls even if it meant failure to win even a single seat, Mitra said on a possible alignment with TMC or the Left. Mitra, a veteran Congressman who had moved to TMC, returned to parent party and took over the presidentship of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) after two decades.
Mitra on why TMC lacks honest intentions as anti-BJP force
"The TMC lacks honest intentions as an anti-BJP force. At the national level, whenever Congress called for any massive anti-BJP campaign, the TMC either evaded it or has sent one MP to register its attendance," Mitra said. TMC raised a hue and cry over demonetization, but "mellowed down" after its two MPs were arrested by CBI in the chit fund scam, he alleged.
TMC silent on Rafale jet deal also: Mitra
The ruling party has also "maintained silence" on the Rafale jet deal, too, Mitra noted. "We have told our party president Rahul Gandhi that we are in favor of fighting alone. He has said that we should work to improve our strength," he said. "But the final decision will be taken by the AICC and we will accept it," the state Congress President clarified.
Possibility of an alliance with the Left Front?
On possibility of an alliance with the Left Front, Mitra said it wouldn't be a "wise option". "The CPI(M) had unilaterally walked out of the alliance after the 2016 Assembly election. Also, the Left allies are not in favor of an adjustment with the Congress."
Congress has only 4 LS seats in West Bengal
Currently, Congress has four Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. The party, Mitra said, has suffered "badly" due to alliances with the TMC in 2001, 2009, and 2011, and with the CPI(M) in 2016. "We could then neither offer seats to our leaders nor could we put up our symbols in certain constituencies. That has badly damaged our organization," he claimed.
Mitra blames TMC's policy of 'poaching' elected Congress representatives
Mitra also blamed the TMC's policy of "poaching" elected representatives of the Congress for the decrease in the Congress's strength in West Bengal and the growth of "communal forces". Noting there was a Congress government in WB till 1977, he said: "Did you ever see Congress Chief Minister's fanning fundamentalism or communalism in Bengal like the present (TMC) government is doing?"
Election targets set by TMC, BJP
On targets set by TMC and BJP for the election, Mitra said Congress will not follow suit. "I am not an astrologer," he quipped. TMC has set a target of winning all 42 Lok Sabha sets in WB, and BJP is eyeing 22 seats.
Mitra on strengthening Congress organization in WB
On strengthening Congress organization in WB, Mitra said he was trying to bring back MLAs and the elected representatives who switched over to the TMC. "Right now, I am trying to strengthen the booth- and block-level organization. Once that is done, we can easily expand our base in the state," he said. He, however, acknowledged that a "daunting task" awaits him.
The daunting task
"We (PCC) are presently assessing the ground situation - there are several booths and blocks where we don't have any presence. We are trying to fix these issues by making personal connections with our party workers and old-timers," Mitra added.
