BJP, Trinamool may talk about grand alliance

CALCUTTA, APRIL 9: Leaders of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress would meet here tomorrow to discuss details of seat-sharing for the comin...

CALCUTTA, APRIL 9: Leaders of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress would meet here tomorrow to discuss details of seat-sharing for the coming municipal elections in the state. The talks come in the wake of the state Congress welcoming Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee’s grand alliance which is supposed to include both the BJP and the Congress.

State BJP vice-president Muzzafar Khan, who is supposed to participate in the talks with the Trinamool leaders here tomorrow, said: “During talks on sharing of seats in the municipal elections, the grand alliance may also come up for discussion.”

The BJP doesn’t seem to mind the Congress being part of the grand allaince. A state BJP leader told this reporter. “We have an open mind on the Congress joining the grand alliance.”

Story continues below this ad

However, all is not quite in the Congress. Although several Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leaders have so far ignored the BJP factor or have registered mild protests, many of them have expressed serious doubts about having the BJP as part of the alliance.

Senior Trinamool leader Pankaj Banerjee told The Indian Express: “There are leaders in the Congress, both at the Central and state level, who would not like the grand alliance to come through. The people will blame them for betraying a cause.”

He added: “Ghani Khan, who is supposed to take the state Congress into the alliance, didn’t think so.”

Union minister Tapan Sikdar, former president of the West Bengal BJP, said: “I don’t think that on the basis of electoral mathematics the Congress can ignore our party in West Bengal.”

Day after PM Modi’s visit to the town, Manipur’s Churachandpur sees violent protest

India16 min ago

Protests in Manipur's Churachandpur turned violent as two men were arrested for damaging decorations for PM Modi's visit. The crowd demanded their release and attempted to storm the police station. The men were eventually released after a bail hearing. The incident occurred after a clash between locals and police on Thursday, but the situation had calmed down before Saturday's visit.

View all shorts

Live Blog