It has not been said in as many words, but it seems there’s a clear alteration in strategy from Trinamool Congress or Mamata Banerjee to be precise. Till a fortnight ago, Banerjee was in no mood to accept Rahul Gandhi as the leader of the united opposition ahead of 2019 general elections, but not anymore.
According to sources, several brainstorming sessions between Mamata Banerjee and the leaders of anti-NDA parties have taken place in a span of few days and the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee suddenly looks to be on the same page with others. It is believed that the option of Rahul leading the coalition was only an ‘option’ and deliberations were invited on it.
The TMC supremo recently met leaders in the national capital, ranging from Congress president Rahul Gandhi to Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut. Also, she also met senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Krishna Advani. What can be speculated for it? Is she trying to propagate her as a probable face for 2019 Lok Sabha elections? Or it’s just a coalition strategy?
NRC issue:
The West Bengal CM might not be as thoughtful leader as late CM Jyoti Basu, but she understands the impulse of politics very well. She knows how to pop-up an issue politically and reap benefits from it. And here, it’s a problem.
The debate over the National Registrar of Citizens (NRC) draft report findings has evoked several voices, especially from the political parties. However there is a disagreement between the leaders within the TMC and high chances that it might break into sections.
Mamata’s decision of questioning the NRC draft’s authenticity has been welcomed by some parties. But there is confusion between the TMC leaders whether to abide by Mamata’s order or part their ways. Reason being, no one is sure what is happening inside the party.
Speaking to the The Live Mirror exclusively, one of the high-ranked leader in TMC (on condition of anonymity), said, “She (Mamata Banerjee) has been saying few things (on NRC) which we are not privy to and that is creating confusion among the ranks.” The leader was of the opinion that ‘all is not well’ in the party.
A couple of days ago, Assam TMC president Dwipen Pathak resigned from post citing Mamata’s ‘double-standard’ on NRC. Along with him, two other leaders – Diganta Saikia and Pradeep Pachoni – quit the party alleging that TMC supremo commented on the NRC issue ‘without any knowledge’. Also, there are other TMC leaders in Assam and West Bengal, who are upset with Mamata.
There are allegations that prior to the NRC, Mamata never took interest in the matters pertaining to Assam and now she is interfering in the internal matters to reap political mileage.
2019 Lok Sabha elections:
Lok Sabha elections are just 10 months away and Mamata wants to gain maximum benefit from it. Be it with Congress or third front, she wants a good bargain. Recently she met Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Deve Gowda, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party leader Jaya Bachchan and Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut in the national capital.
Her intentions look crystal clear – she wants fame and for that she is eyeing 2019 parliamentary polls. As her tiff with Amit Shah scrapped possibilities of coalition with BJP, Congress seems to be a good option but tackling the LEFT’s old-alliance with Congress would not be as easy as it seems.
Rift in TMC:
Mamata’s latest attack on BJP, alleging the saffron party playing a ‘divide and rule’ politics with the people of Assam and West Bengal, has not been taken well by the party leaders. Resignations in Assam have already started and West Bengal is standing in the danger line too.
The rift within the party has already started with voices popping-up against Mamata. It might not come out in public but cracks seem to be visible on the ground where the joint grass flowers blooms. With prevailing conditions, forget PM’s chair, even her CM’s chair is at risk. It will be interesting to see how Mamata tackles this situation.