TMC is a pillar of INDIA alliance: Jairam Ramesh after Mamata's remark on seat sharing

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee, announced on Wednesday that her party will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections independently in the state.

This left the Congress surprised, expressing its inability to envisage the INDIA alliance without her. The Congress expressed hope for a resolution and a coalition fight in the state.

The Congress also noted Banerjee's determination to combat the BJP. Congress communications head, Jairam Ramesh, stated at a press conference in Assam, 'TMC is a pillar of the INDIA alliance. We cannot imagine the INDIA alliance without Mamata ji. Our Yatra enters West Bengal tomorrow. Seat sharing discussions are underway and a satisfactory result will soon be reached.'

A day earlier, Rahul Gandhi had expressed his good relations with Mamata, ongoing seat-sharing discussions with the TMC, and minor differences that could be easily resolved.

Ramesh referred to Rahul’s statement, emphasising the importance of Mamata and the TMC to the INDIA alliance, and expressed hope for a cooperative fight in the West Bengal elections.

Also read : Mamata Banerjee says 'will fight alone' in Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections