TMC, Congress hopeful of getting framework for united fight in next INDIA meet
West Bengal, the constituents of the opposition bloc INDIA, including TMC and Congress, are optimistic about formulating a draft proposal in the upcoming Mumbai meet to collectively combat the BJP, despite existing political contradictions within the coalition in various states. The third gathering of the opposition alliance, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), is set to take place in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1.
In the current scenario, three parties in West Bengal — TMC, CPI(M), and Congress — acknowledge that without a framework, any attempt at electoral adjustments would be challenging, accentuated by the contrast between TMC's inclination for a 1:1 contest against the BJP, and the contrary stance of the current Left-Congress alliance in the state.
«We are hopeful that some framework to put up a united fight not just in West Bengal but also in states where there are contradictions would take shape in the Mumbai meet.
In the present circumstances and the absence of any policy, any form of alliance with Congress and CPI (M) is impossible in Bengal,» senior TMC leader Sougata Roy told PTI.
Referring to an alliance with the Congress in West Bengal in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls and 2011 assembly elections, Roy asserted that «even if there is a possibility of an alliance with the Congress, any adjustment with CPI(M) is a strict no.»
Congress Working Committee member Deepa Dasmunsi said she is hopeful that a draft framework for a united fight against the BJP will come up during the Mumbai meet.
«We all have united at the national level for a bigger and greater cause of protecting the nation. There are indeed several contradictions — in Bengal with the TMC, in Delhi and in Punjab with AAP.
