No proposal or discussion to merge with Congress: TMC

NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday denied that there was any proposal or discussion about the Mamata Banerjee led party merging with the Congress at a meeting between leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday.

The meeting between Rahul and Abhishek at 10, Janpath came a day after TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee met CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Speculation about a merger being deliberated — which TMC and Congress members have termed “bogus” and “baseless” — grew as sources within the rebel TMC camp said it has managed support of at least 19 Lok Sabha MPs — two-thirds of the party’s strength of 28 — and will claim to be representing its parliamentary wing in the House. The development only adds to Mamata’s West Bengal poll setback.

“The issue of merger of TMC with Congress and all other speculation around this is all rumours and incorrect. No such thing was discussed," TMC sources said. Even Congress sources denied any discussion or move for merger.

Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh made it clear on X that some news reports on what supposedly transpired in the meeting between Sonia and Mamata on Tuesday are “completely inaccurate”. “The meeting was very cordial and many personal matters were talked about, given the long relationship they have had,” he added.

On Monday, in an about turn from her past hostility, former Bengal CM Mamata at a INDIA bloc meeting said Congress should take lead in the opposition's fight against BJP. Photos were also shared by Congress where Mamata and Sonia were seen hugging each other and sharing a warm interaction.

Building on the discussions between the TMC chief and CCP chairperson when they met on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi and Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday discussed developments in West Bengal and how the TMC and Congress can coordinate and work together to strengthen their presence in the state. They also discussed the 2029 Lok Sabha polls and how they could strengthen the INDIA bloc and opposition unity to counter the BJP.

TMC shared a post on X with a photo from the meeting of Rahul and Abhishek. "The meeting reflected a shared commitment to safeguarding democracy, upholding Constitutional values and working for the welfare of every Indian. INDIA stands united," the TMC said.

Ardent supporters in the Mamata camp were dismissive of the possibility of a merger with the Congress saying that the former West Bengal CM invested her all in the TMC and for now seems determined to rebuild the party rather than give up.

Meanwhile, the speculative reports saw Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut suggest that parties like TMC and NCP (SP) which were once part of the Congress should reunite and strengthen the grand old party. News agency PTI reported Raut saying in Mumbai that such reunification was the “need of the hour”.

Amid hectic developments, TMC suffered another setback on Wednesday, as its Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev resigned from the party and the Upper House. She is the second RS MP to quit. On Monday, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy had resigned from the Upper House and TMC after levelling allegations against the party.

A former Congress leader who had joined the TMC a few years ago, Dev, also met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at his residence in Delhi triggering speculation that she was headed for the BJP.

While Dev refused to make any comment on Mamata Banerjee, on reports of her joining the BJP, she told reporters, "when I take a decision I will let you know”. She asserted that she has resigned due to "personal and political reasons". "I don't want to be in a situation where I am in two boats at the same time. That is not the right way to do it...because.. the family background and upbringing I have, I have never stayed in one party and served another party," she said.

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