TMC reiterates it will contest all 42 seats alone in Bengal, Cong responds: ‘Doors always open, we respect Mamata Banerjee’

The TMC leader said there was “no change” in the party’s stand of contesting all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, a few in Assam, and one in Meghalaya, news agency PTI reported. This comes amid reports about the Congress and TMC finalising its seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the polls.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: February 24, 2024 10:42 AM IST

2 min read

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (PTI Photo)

In a major jolt to the Congress, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien on Friday reiterated that his party will be going solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress, meanwhile, said talks were on with West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee but seat share was yet to be finalised. “Discussions are underway. Our doors are always open for TMC. Mamata Banerjee and TMC have said that they want to strengthen INDIA Alliance and the biggest motive is to defeat the BJP…Heated discussions keep taking place between the two parties but we respect Mamata Banerjee,” party leader Jairam Ramesh told ANI.

“A few weeks ago…West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that TMC is fighting all the 42 seats in Bengal. We are also in the fray in a few seats in Assam and the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya. There is no change in this position,” said O’Brien.

Sources told the Indian Express talks between the Congress and the TMC had gone off the table a few days ago but have revived once again in recent days. The TMC was bargaining with the Congress to get seats in Assam and Meghalaya in return for seats it was offering to the Congress in West Bengal, the sources said.

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