The Trinamool Congress is the dominant party in Bengal and is capable of fighting on its own, party supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee hinted to her cadre in an internal meeting, CNN-News18 has learnt.
Sources said Banerjee emphasised that while TMC was a part of Opposition’s INDIA bloc at the national level, it may go solo in the state.
The TMC had given a deadline of December 31, 2023, to the Congress to reach a seat-sharing formula for the 2024 Lok Sabha election but, so far, there has been no communication from the Grand Old Party.
Banerjee held an internal party meeting for three Lok Sabha constituencies — Medinipur, Ghatal and Arambagh — at her residence on Wednesday in the run-up to the 2024 polls.
Apart from constituency leaders, party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and state president Subrata Bakshi were also present in the meeting, party sources said.
Recently, there was a buzz in political circles about a conflict between the young leaders of TMC and the veterans. The narrative being set was that Abhishek Banerjee would not work on anything apart from his own constituency amid the “conflict”.
However, political experts say his presence in Wednesday’s meeting shows that the issues have been ironed out to some extent. Sources say Mamata Banerjee herself asked Abhishek to give a speech in the meeting wherein the leader said everyone must fight together in the Lok Sabha elections and he will fulfil all responsibilities handed to him.
Given the old guard vs young turks battle in the party, Banerjee also set certain do’s and don’ts for the leaders, starting with instructing Abhishek Banerjee to come up with records about how much money the state gets from the Centre.
The chief minister said the records should also highlight the polarisation politics of BJP as well as corruption by its leaders.
She also issued clear instructions that leaders should not write anything against the party on social media. “If anybody has issues, they can complain to Abhishek Banerjee, in my office or Subrata Bakshi but not on social media,” the sources said, adding that only official spokespersons would be authorised to speak to the media and those not toeing the party line would be shown the door.
The TMC chief said her government has worked for Adivasis and this information should be disseminated among voters in the run-up to the 2024 elections. Banerjee added that she will appoint more Adivasi spokespersons to encourage the community.
Hitting out at the BJP, the chief minister said if the saffron party terms them ‘chor’ (thief), the TMC must retaliate by calling them dacoits. Banerjee is expected to meet more district leaders in the coming week to firm up her 2024 strategy.
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