Kolkata, Jun 11 (V7N) – Fresh political speculation has emerged in West Bengal following a series of meetings between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress leaders and the top leadership of the Indian National Congress, raising questions about the future relationship between the two parties.
According to reports by ABP Ananda, Mamata Banerjee's political career began within the Congress before she broke away in 1998 to form the All India Trinamool Congress. Over the years, she established herself as one of India's most influential regional leaders and eventually became the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The relationship between Congress and Trinamool has seen several dramatic turns. In 2011, the two parties joined forces to defeat the Left Front government and bring Trinamool to power in West Bengal. However, the alliance later deteriorated as Trinamool expanded its political dominance across the state, often at the expense of Congress.
Political discussions intensified after Mamata Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath on Tuesday (June 9). The following day, Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee held a separate meeting with Rahul Gandhi.
These developments have triggered mixed reactions within the West Bengal Congress unit. While some leaders have expressed strong opposition to any renewed closeness with Trinamool, others have adopted a more moderate position.
Political analysts point to several past instances of rivalry between the two parties. Congress had won the Sagardighi Assembly seat in Murshidabad with support from the Left, but the party later lost its lone MLA, Byron Biswas, to Trinamool. Similar political shifts enabled Trinamool to gain control of several municipalities and local government bodies that were previously under Congress influence.
Trinamool also expanded its dominance in Murshidabad district over the years, taking control of municipalities and local institutions that were once considered Congress strongholds.
Despite the renewed political contacts, a section of the state Congress leadership believes there is little possibility of Mamata Banerjee rejoining the Congress. Instead, many observers see a greater likelihood of future electoral cooperation or seat-sharing arrangements between the two parties rather than a formal political merger.
For now, the meetings between the Trinamool and Congress leadership have added a new dimension to India's opposition politics, while keeping political circles in West Bengal closely watching for any signs of a future alliance.
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