The Congress on Wednesday asserted that the Trinamool Congress is the “pillar of INDIA alliance”, moments after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement that her party would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state independently.

Addressing a press conference in Lower Assam, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is a pillar of the INDIA alliance. We cannot imagine the alliance without Mamata ji. Tomorrow, our (Bharat Jodo Nyay) Yatra is entering West Bengal. Discussions regarding seat sharing are going on, and the result will come soon which will make everyone satisfied.”

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Reports that the Congress did not extend an invitation to the TMC supremo to join the Yatra in Bengal added to the unexpected turn of events.

“The Congress president had spoken, Rahul Gandhi had spoken, the AICC in-charge had spoken… Kharge said in public meetings that all the INDIA parties are being invited, and he has spoken to all of them. I do not know in what context she has said that, but I saw that she has also said that defeating the BJP was her priority,” Ramesh said

The Congress downplayed Banerjee’s remarks as “minor hiccups” in a larger journey and highlighted her strong commitment to defeating the saffron party.

Ramesh likened the challenges to speed breakers and red lights on a journey, emphasizing that they would persevere in their spirit to defeat the BJP.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier statement about a cordial relationship with the West Bengal chief minister and the ongoing seat-sharing talks, Ramesh expressed hope that any differences would be resolved.