The Congress leadership has instructed its West Bengal unit not to consider any alliance with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) at this stage and instead focus on strengthening the party’s organisation in the state. The directive came during a meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The party also emphasised the need to fight both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and forces that have weakened Congress in Bengal.
After the meeting, Gandhi reiterated the party’s commitment to grassroots mobilisation and advocating for people’s rights. “Today, I had a productive discussion with our West Bengal Congress leadership at Indira Bhavan. The focus was clear—strengthening our party at the grassroots, and fighting for the people’s rights. Congress will strive to be the voice of Bengal’s aspirations—fearless, honest, and unwavering,” he posted on social media.
The Congress leadership’s stand comes amid increasing tensions between the party and TMC. It also counters speculation that the removal of former MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as Bengal Congress chief signaled a move towards an alliance with the ruling party in the state.
West Bengal Congress in-charge Ghulam Mir highlighted the party’s role in addressing public grievances against both the state and central governments. “The people of West Bengal are angry due to the shortcomings of both governments. Congress has an important role to play, and we are ready to represent them in a planned manner. The people want Congress to play a strong role in the state, and we will raise their voice and issues by taking to the streets,” he told journalists after the meeting.
