West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has divulged Trinamool Congress’s strategy for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election, stating that her party will support the Congress “wherever it is strong.” Banerjee emphasized that Congress should reciprocate this support if they seek her party’s backing. She proposed a united front of opposition parties, where regional parties should be prioritized based on their strength in their respective states.
Banerjee highlighted that wherever a regional party holds a strong position, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cannot compete effectively. She advocated for regional parties to join forces in their respective regions. While Mamata is known for her strained relationship with Congress in West Bengal, she maintains amicable ties with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. In a notable development, Mamata held a meeting with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in March, where both leaders agreed to distance themselves from the Congress and BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The recent announcement comes shortly after the Congress achieved a significant victory in Karnataka, securing 135 seats and defeating the BJP, which was the ruling party in the state. The BJP trailed far behind with 66 seats, marking a significant decline from its 2018 tally of 104 seats. While Mamata and Congress have been at odds in West Bengal, she expressed support for the Congress in Karnataka but urged them not to contest against her party in Bengal.
During a press conference, TMC leader and Lok Sabha MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay asserted that the party would chart its course and maintain a distance from both the Congress and BJP. He made it clear that there were no immediate plans for forming a third front and cautioned Congress against assuming a dominant role within the opposition.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Mamata Banerjee’s announcement indicates a willingness to align with the Congress in areas where the party holds a strong position, while emphasizing the importance of regional parties and unity within the opposition to counter the BJP’s influence in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.