Congress tries to woo Mamata after TMC calls off alliance in Bengal

Congress party’s fresh attempt to woo Mamata came as she said on Wednesday that Trinamool will fight the Lok Sabha elections alone and that the Congress has not shown the courtesy to inform or invite her to the yatra.

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday dialled West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee to mollify her, a day after she announced that her party will fight the Lok Sabha elections solo.

Congress leaders showered praise on Banerjee, saying her party stands the tallest in state politics and its presence is necessary for defeating the BJP.

Party General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh confirmed Kharge reaching out to his Trinamool counterpart and said the Congress will find a way forward as they align with her objective of defeating the BJP in West Bengal and other parts of the country.

As Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Cooch Behar in West Bengal, Ramesh said the party’s top leadership wants Mamata to attend the Yatra for a few minutes and her presence would increase the stature of the programme.

The party’s fresh attempt to woo Mamata came as she said on Wednesday that Trinamool will fight the Lok Sabha elections alone and that the Congress has not shown "the courtesy" to invite her to the Yatra.

In Bagdogra, West Bengal, Ramesh said that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written a letter and sent an email inviting her to the Yatra.

“Our leaders Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi want the Trinamool Congress to participate in the Yatra. We wish that the Chief Minister joins us for say 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. I know she is busy and has to look after state affairs. But if she comes, it will elevate the Yatra’s stature,” he said.

Ramesh recalled how Mamata was important to the UPA government. He said if not for Mamata’s support, the UPA government would have found it difficult to get the law on land acquisition passed in 2013.

“We respect her a lot. We will find a middle path,” Ramesh said, referring to the fate of the I.N.D.I.A alliance in Bengal. “We know that in Bengal politics today, the Trinamool stands the tallest. If you want to defeat the BJP, Trinamool Congress’ presence is necessary,” he said.

On Wednesday too, the Congress was full of praise for Mamata even after her announcement, with Ramesh saying no one could imagine an I.N.D.I.A bloc without the Trinamool chief. Earlier, Rahul too said that he shares a good relationship with Mamata and they would finalise the seat-sharing in Bengal.