After Yechury remarks, challenge to find common ground in Bengal grows for 3 INDIA bloc parties

Yechury told mediapersons on Friday that his party would continue to fight the BJP nationally under the banner of the Opposition parties’ INDIA alliance but a tie-up with the TMC in West Bengal was out of the question.

“So…That is why we said anybody who is willing to come, come. So, I know most of you, we got the reaction letter from many of you saying… how can you have [TMC chairperson and Chief Minister] Mamata Banerjee there. Yes, we maintain and will continue to maintain that the TMC is not and cannot be an alternative to the BJP. When the occasion arises, it (TMC) makes ‘compromises’ with the National Democratic Alliance and the BJP. They have done this in the past and may do so in future. Now, the question is why are they there? If they are there, why should we be there? What is the objective? We have to separate the BJP from controlling the government…controlling power.”

He added, “They (TMC) are corrupt, anti-people and anti-democratic… The concept of democratic elections in Bengal has been destroyed. But that is something we have to fight against. We have to reach out to the people, focus on defeating the political and ideological project of the RSS and BJP. At the same time, focus on democracy and democratic rights and people’s rights and fight against the attacks by the TMC and the corruption… Mobilise the people.”

A senior CPI(M) leader said, “Yechury ruled out any possibility of a poll pact with TMC in the coming Lok Sabha election. It will help us to make our rank and file understand…also people of West Bengal that we will continue our fight both against TMC and BJP in West Bengal.”

A section of Congress leaders is also happy over Yechury’s remarks because they are also against any type of electoral understanding with TMC. Congress leader Kaustab Bagchi has written to the party brass, opposing any alliance with the TMC.

However, reacting to Yechury’s remarks, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said on Saturday, “The CPI(M) is an agent of the BJP… Their B team in Bengal. The BJP often has a role in increasing votes for CPI(M). When the BJP is in trouble, the CPI(M) has always extended its hand to them. So, what will they decide? We don’t need the CPI(M). We can fight our battle.”