New Delhi: After attempting numerous compromises within the INDI Alliance, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has officially announced that her party, AITMC, will not be entering into a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress for the upcoming 2024 general elections. In a recent statement by NC Chief Farooq Abdullah, he foresaw fractures in the once seemingly robust INDI alliance. Abdullah emphasized the importance of seeking seats in areas of dominance rather than competing in regions where the party's influence is limited. He had commended Mamata Banerjee for her willingness to share seats with the Left, despite their miniscule influence in the state.
However, the Congress leadership's insistence on more than their rightful share reflects a recurring mistake. The numerical evidence underscores the weakened position of the Congress party in West Bengal. Over successive West Bengal Assembly Elections, the party's share has steadily dwindled. In the 2016 elections, the Congress secured a 12.4% share, which drastically plummeted to a mere 3% in the 2021 assembly elections. In the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party could garnere a 5.67% vote share, marking a significant 4.09% decline from previous general elections. Despite the consistent underperformance of the Congress, Mamata Banerjee had reportedly suggested Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, as the prime ministerial candidate for the INDI Alliance. Banerjee believed that the Congress, with its nationwide presence and strength in many other specific regions from Hindi belt to southern Bharat, should lead the alliance. Her sincere attempt to be inclusive in the alliance deserved acknowledgment. On the other hand, in the most important state of Uttar Pradesh, even though the Congress is in an extremely challenging position, it is persistently seeking more seats in discussions with SP's Akhilesh Yadav, while political analysts suggest that the Congress party may struggle to retain its traditional stronghold of Raebareli, Akhilesh Yadav is trying hard to accommodate the Congress, But, this may also lead the West Bengal way, if the Congress doesn't compromise.
Upon Mamata's announcement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh likened the situation to encountering 'speed breakers' on a long journey, suggesting that challenges are expected in the course of larger endeavors, reflecting the Congress' stubborn attiude. Conversely, Pramod Krishnam, a Congress leader from the UP unit, expressed skepticism about the INDI Alliance itself. Describing it as a quagmire, Krishnam shared his concerns on the social media platform X.
Furthermore, Banerjee also clarified that she has not engaged in any discussions with anyone from the Congress regarding the allocation of seats in the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This statement comes in contrast to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent announcement in Assam that talks are underway with Trinamool Congress regarding seat-sharing. Banerjee, addressing reporters before departing for East Bardhaman, stated, 'I have not talked to anyone in the Congress on seat sharing.'
Notably, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhari, a senior Congress leader, has been openly criticizing Mamata Banerjee on law and order issues. Chaudhari had even called for President's Rule in West Bengal following an alleged attack by TMC workers on an ED team. All in all, the future of INDI Alliance seems to be already dark.
