The Congress, Left Front, and CPI-ML (Liberation) have officially declined an invitation from Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee to form a united platform against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The proposal, made by Banerjee via a video message on Saturday, came as BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal. Despite Banerjee’s plea for opposition parties to put aside differences to confront their “first enemy,” the response from rival parties was swift and critical.
“No Room for Alliance”: Left and Congress Stand Firm
The rejection was marked by sharp rhetoric from veteran leaders:
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CPI(M): State Secretary Md Salim categorically dismissed the offer, stating the party would not align with anyone they identify as “corrupt or communal.” This stance comes at a challenging time for the CPI(M), which currently finds itself without power in any state for the first time in nearly five decades.
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State Congress: Spokesperson Soumya Aich Roy questioned Banerjee’s terminology, specifically her call to “ultra-Left” groups. He raised concerns about whether this included Maoist factions, citing the 2013 Chhattisgarh ambush that claimed the lives of 18 Congress leaders.
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CPI: State Secretary Swapan Banerjee added that the question of joining forces “doesn’t arise,” alleging that democracy was significantly weakened during the TMC’s tenure in the state.
Banerjee’s “United Platform” Vision
In her appeal, Banerjee urged opposition parties, student organizations, and NGOs in both Bengal and Delhi to build a collective front. “If any political party wants to speak to me, I am available,” she stated, emphasizing that the primary objective should be opposing the BJP’s growing influence.
The New Political Landscape in Bengal
The TMC’s call for unity follows a decisive shift in West Bengal’s political dynamics. In the recent assembly polls, the BJP secured a commanding majority with 207 of the 294 seats, while the TMC was reduced to 80 seats.
Reacting to the TMC’s proposal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari dismissed Banerjee’s efforts, telling reporters that she has become “irrelevant in politics.” TMC leadership has so far declined to comment further on the opposition’s refusal to collaborate.
