“Not even 40…”: Mamata Banerjee ‘REJECTS’ Congress in Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday slammed Congress, saying that she doubts if the grand old party would be able to bag even 40 seats in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She also challenged the Congress to defeat BJP in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

“I doubt if Congress will even win 40 seats. I did not ask for anything from them, out of goodwill, I was offering two seats and would ensure that they won. But they wanted more. I said okay, contest in all 42 then. Rejected! We have not spoken on seat sharing since then,” said Mamata Banerjee.

Banerjee sharpened her attack on the grand old party over Congress’s yatra route through Bengal that included the Muslim majority areas of the state; she said that she sees no difference between the Congress and the BJP. “They came into Bengal and just the way the BJP panders to the Hindu populace, Congress and CPIM are trying to appease the Muslim masses. I dare you, if you have the courage, first defeat the BJP in Banaras, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh," asserted the Trinamool Congress supremo.

"They came for an event in Bengal but they did not bother to inform me as an alliance member. I got to know through administrative sources. They called my party leaders like Derek to request that the rally would be allowed to pass through,” said Mamata Banerjee expressing her disappointment over the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’s Bengal leg.

Previously, Mamata Banerjee slammed Congress while addressing a political gathering in Krishnanagar on Friday; she reiterated her "fight solo" stance from Bengal, denouncing all possibilities of forging and alliance with Congress. "We wanted to forge an alliance with the Congress at the state level, but, Congress decided to form an alliance with CPIM in Bengal and help the BJP. I will not associate myself with CPIM, neither will I associate myself with the BJP," said the Trinamool Congress Supremo.

Contrary to Mamata Banerjee’s scathing remarks on her INDIA alliance partner, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh continues to maintain that the grand old party and Banerjee are united over the cause of defeating BJP. “Mamata ji has said that defeating BJP is one of her topmost priorities. She has only one motive, that is to defeat BJP, and this is what has kept us united in a mission to defeat BJP in the upcoming elections,” said Jairam Ramesh.