Feature: The political alliance between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of West Bengal and the national Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, is showing signs of strain, with recent comments from TMC leader Mamata Banerjee making the rift apparent. The West Bengal Chief Minister, in a public address, targeted Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, dismissing it as mere photo shoot and launching a personal attack by referring to him as a “migratory bird.”
The friction escalated after Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Bengal, where he engaged with beedi workers. Mamata Banerjee expressed her discontent during a public gathering, questioning the authenticity of Rahul’s interactions with the workers. She remarked, “Rahul meeting beedi workers is just a photo shoot. Those who have never gone to the tea shop are now showing that they sit with beedi workers. They are migratory birds.”
The TMC leader continued her critique, asserting that the Congress party lacks the capability to win more than 40 seats in the Lok Sabha. She challenged Rahul Gandhi to prove his political prowess by contesting and winning in Varanasi and Allahabad against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The comments turned personal when Mamata Banerjee labeled Rahul Gandhi a “migratory bird,” implying a lack of rootedness or commitment.
Mamata Banerjee’s statements underscore a growing rift between the TMC and Congress, as she expressed skepticism about the national party’s ability to rally regional parties or make a significant impact in West Bengal. She revealed that the TMC had offered the Congress party the opportunity to contest for 42 seats in Bengal, but the proposal was rejected, and communication between the two parties ceased.
The public spat between Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi brings to light the challenges within the TMC-Congress alliance, hinting at a possible divergence in political strategies and priorities. As the political landscape evolves in West Bengal, these developments may reshape the alliances and realignments ahead of crucial electoral battles. The TMC’s distancing from the Congress, evident in the personal nature of Mamata Banerjee’s remarks, marks a significant turn in the political dynamics between the two parties.
