Congress vs TMC: Rising Tensions Ahead of Bengal Assembly Elections
The unity of the INDIA alliance, formed to challenge the BJP at the national level, appears to be unraveling as state elections approach. This divide is most evident in West Bengal, where Congress is aggressively strategizing against its ally at the Centre, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Congress is focusing on districts with significant Muslim populations – Malda, Murshidabad, North Dinajpur, and Purulia- aiming to weaken TMC’s stronghold. The party is also reviving old connections in Darjeeling, recalling ties from the Rajiv Gandhi era, to deliver a shock to Mamata’s leadership.
Adding to the contest, Left parties and the alliance of Humayun Kabir and Asaduddin Owaisi are already vying for minority votes. Congress, however, is deploying its full strength. After polling concludes in three states on April 9, top Congress leaders will campaign intensively in Bengal:
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address three major public meetings.
Priyanka Gandhi will lead three key rallies.
Party president Mallikarjun Kharge will focus on Dalit voters in Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri, regions with significant SC/ST populations.
Kharge is also set to release the Congress manifesto in Kolkata today, which analysts say highlights four major issues:
Weakening law and order in the state.
Alleged corruption under the TMC government.
Rising prices.
Withholding of central funds.
Congress plans to corner Mamata by accusing her of failing to fight for ₹2 lakh crore in dues from the Centre, claiming she has compromised due to fear of central agencies like the ED and CBI.
While Congress and TMC contested separately in the last Lok Sabha elections, the rivalry was not as intense. This time, however, Congress’s sharp strategies aimed at splitting Mamata’s vote bank could have long-term consequences – not only for the INDIA alliance’s survival but also for the future relationship between the two parties.
