Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee announced that her party will contest the Lok Sabha election alone in West Bengal on Wednesday.
She called off the alliance win INDIA, just the day before Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra was to enter the state.
“My initial (seat sharing) proposal has already been rejected by the INDIA alliance. Then our party took a decision that we would fight alone in Bengal. We are a part of the alliance. They are doing a rally (Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra) here. Even as a matter of courtesy, did they even once inform us, say, “Didi, I am coming to your state?” I have no relations with the Congress as regards Bengal.” Mamata Banerjee said in the Press conference.
Why Mamata Banerjee is going solo?
Congress leaders Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Abdul Mannan have been open critics of Mamata Banerjee. The 
Congress’s big brotherly attitude has never been a secret. Trinamool Congress asked Congress to contest only two seats, denying their request to contest 8-10 seats in West Bengal. The two seats are Berhampore and Malda South which Congress could win in 2019. Mamata Banerjee wants seat sharing based on the performance of the parties in previous elections i.e. 2019 Lok Sabha election and the 2021 West Bengal election. But Congress seems very happy with this proposal of Mamata Banerjee.
Congress Leader’s Response
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called Mamata Banerjee an opportunist and added that she was just making excuses. “This time, the elections will not be fought at the mercy of Mamata Banerjee. The Congress party knows how to contest the elections. Mamta Banerjee is an opportunist, she came to power in 2011, with the mercy of Congress,” Adhir said. 
Rahul Gandhi said “Mamata Banerjee is very close to me. Sometimes our leaders say something. Such comments won’t matter.” while addressing the media during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
In an attempt to conciliate, Jairam Ramesh said “We cannot imagine the INDIA alliance without Mamataji. When you are on a long journey there will be speed breakers on the way at times, there will be red lights. That doesn’t mean we will step back. Chalta rahta hai.”
AAP too breaking ties with INDIA
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will also contest the Lok Sabha election alone without INDIA in Punjab said Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday. He added that Punjab will contest all 13 seats on its own without any support. Yet another setback for Congress after losing Trinamool.
