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Bengal Congress split wide open over possible alliance with TMC

Congress leaders undecided over which is the right strategy.

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The rift in Bengal Congress is split wide open over the future election strategy of the party.  On Friday, the Congress President Rahul Gandhi met MPs, MLAs and other senior leaders of the West Bengal Congress unit. In this high level meeting, difference  between the MLAs MPs and other organisational heads came right into open.

Half the party wants to have an alliance with TMC and other half wants to go with the Left at the time of Lok Sabha elections. Sources said that in the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, attendees insisted on speaking with Rahul Gandhi on one to one basis rather than in a group discussion which generally happens.

Sources also said that WBPCC Chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury strongly argued for a Left-Congress alliance whereas quite of few MLAs and MPs pitched for an alliance with the TMC. Sources also said that those supporting a TMC alliance hinted that they may have to chart a new course if Congress decides to go with the Left. In the last assembly election, Congress fought with an understanding with the Left, but Mamata Banerjee easily swept the poll. 

M Haq, MLA from West Bengal and Secretary AICC strongly pitched for an alliance with TMC. He argued that Left has no base left in the West Bengal.The problem with the Congress is that Left can galvanize support for Congress in rest of India but in its traditional stronghold, West Bengal it is in tatters. 

When WION spoke to M Haq, he said," Going with Left would be suicide. They don't have any vote. One seat, one candidate was Mamata's idea. Left does not have any standing in West Bengal. Going with them would be akin to suicide." 

Leaders supporting TMC in Congress say that Muslims vote has gone to TMC and Hindu vote is shifting to BJP and if Congress goes with Left, it will end with none. BJP has emerged as a cognizable force in West Bengal and like Tripura it can remove Congress as a principal player in West Bengal. 

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the WBPCC Chief is of the view that the principal enemy of the Congress is TMC and Congress cannot have an alliance with Mamata. He has been advocating this stand for past one year in public. Sources said that Rahul Gandhi did not express his view on this matter to anyone. He heard every functionary in the meeting. 

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury when asked said," Mamata Banerjee has promoted BJP in the state. Congress is a victim of TMC's atrocity. BJP has emerged as a force because of her. How is an alliance possible. But final decision is with Congress President Rahul Gandhi. The view of the high command will matter."

Deepa Das Munshi said that Congress should go alone and only go into an alliance if there is a Grand Alliance in making. " If alliance has to take place then it has to be now and not at the end. Congress needs to be strengthened at the grassroots," she said. 

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