Only TMC Can Defeat Congress, Says Mamata

Kolkata, Berhampore: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted on Tuesday that only her Trinamul could defeat the Congress, CPI(M) and BJP in the state, the comments coming amid a tug of war between her party and the Congress over seat sharing for the Lok Sabha election.

The TMC supremo has ruled out any alliance with the Congress, which is attempting to draw her into talks. Banerjee told a rally at Raiganj in North Dinajpur, “Only the party of Maa-Mati-Manush can defeat Congress, CPI(M) and BJP.”

She added, “We are a party that gives away things to people. But they are asking for votes without giving people anything. They should let something go first but they don't.” Banerjee also changed the style of her public outreach in her ongoing tour to North Bengal to counter Congress scion Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the same region.

She was seen holding roadshows in North and South Dinajpur. A day before the Congress leader re-enters the state through Malda from Bihar, the TMC chief claimed that Bengal would show the country the way in future.

“Bengal gave birth to India's freedom movement. The state can take others along while marching ahead. It will show a way to the nation in the coming days,” she said at Balurghat in South Dinajpur.

Meanwhile, Congress state party chief and Berhampore MP Adhir Chowdhury, who has been accused by the TMC of working against the alliance, backed Banerjee’s threat to sit for dharna from February 2 if the Centre did not release funds for various social welfare schemes within a week.

Chowdhury said in Murshidabad, "I support her demand for funds under the 100-day job project in  West Bengal. I can join her dharna if she invites me. But my question is why she isn't starting her dharna in New Delhi to attract the Centre's attention? Why doesn't she file a public interest litigation at the Supreme Court? It is the legitimate right of our rural people to get their long pending dues.”