In a recent development, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee declared the party’s candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming 2024 elections. Former MP Mahua Moitra and ex-cricketer Kirti Azad are among the notable candidates. However, this announcement has led to dissatisfaction in the Congress camp, with Congress MP Jairam Ramesh emphasizing the need for a mutual and respectful seat-sharing formula with the TMC in West Bengal. Ramesh stated that Congress is open to negotiations and discussions, citing previous instances of successful collaborations in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
On the TMC’s announcement, Ramesh expressed the Congress’s desire to strengthen the Bharat Gathbandhan in West Bengal, emphasizing the importance of a collective decision on seat distribution. He noted that while he is unaware of the pressures on the TMC, Congress aims to bolster the alliance in the state.
In response to Mamata Banerjee’s decisive move, Congress may face the challenge of contesting independently in certain constituencies. Despite efforts to negotiate seat-sharing, Mamata Banerjee has finalized candidates for all 42 seats, including giving a ticket to cricketer Yusuf Pathan from Balurghat, setting the stage for a contest against Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
Mamata Banerjee also declared that Trinamool Congress would contest alone in Kolkata, further intensifying the political landscape in West Bengal. Additionally, she announced TMC’s participation in elections in Assam and Meghalaya. The situation remains dynamic, and it remains to be seen how the political scenario unfolds in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
