TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee rejects merger speculations with Congress, slams party rebels
TMC has dismissed reports of a possible merger with Congress, reaffirming its commitment to the INDIA bloc and opposition unity ahead of key political developments
Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Saturday (June 13) refuted reports claiming that the Mamata Banerjee-led grouping within the TMC could merge with the Congress.
The speculations over the possibility of a merger gained momentum when the former West Bengal Chief Minister met with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi last week, and Abhishek Banerjee held elaborate discussions with Rahul Gandhi.
Kalyan rejects merger talk
"We are not merging with the Congress,” said Kalyan as quoted by ANI. The TMC MP also took a swipe at the group of party MPs who are reportedly expected to desert the party, stating that they want to be sheltered by the BJP and that the saffron party would not accept them.
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Accusing the BJP and the police of harassing the TMC, Kalyan said that no Opposition party in West Bengal has faced such oppressive action.
"Let them do what they want. They will have to live under the shelter of the BJP. All this is a ploy. They cite the reason as development of their constituencies, but those who cannot even visit their constituencies, so what work will they do,” said Kalyan.
“What development has been done in the last month, even after talks with the CM? BJP is harassing us, and the police are harassing us. No Opposition in West Bengal has ever faced such a thing as what we are facing. The 19 MPs who are going to the BJP will not be accepted by the BJP," he added.
What Kirti Azad said
TMC MP Kirti Azad has also rejected speculation over the merger, stating that such reports were incorrect.
"There will be no merger; that is all incorrect news. The election will be contested as an alliance, and the alliance will remain intact,” he added.
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Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on June 11 also rejected reports suggesting a possible merger between the TMC and the Congress, describing the speculation as unfounded.
Addressing a press conference, Venugopal said recent meetings involving Mamata, Sonia, Rahul and Abhishek were part of regular political consultations.
Congress dismisses rumours
He said the discussions were centred on strengthening opposition unity under the INDIA bloc and intensifying the fight against the Centre. Reiterating that there was no merger proposal under consideration, Venugopal termed the reports mere rumours.
Meanwhile, Mamata has not publicly indicated her next course of action, with attention now shifting to Monday’s meeting between rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs and the Speaker.