Somen Mitra calls down on reports of Congress-TMC alliance

West Bengal Congress chief Somen Mitra Thursday said the party was against any sort of alliance with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state. The "apprehension" that the Congress might join hands with TMC to fight BJP at the Centre has stopped various leaders of Mamata Banerjee's party and others from joining Congress in the state, he told newsmen here. His comments come in the wake of nearly 2000 activists from various political parties, including the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), joining the Congress in the state on Thursday to fight against the "rise of communalism".

"We want to tell them (those wishing to join Congress) that this apprehension has no basis as Bengal Congress is against any sort of alliance with TMC. We have also conveyed it to the party high command," Mitra told reporters. "Leaders and workers of various political parties including TMC, BJP is in touch with us and are willing to join the Congress as they want to fight against the misrule and communalism of TMC and BJP in the state," he added.

But they are in a dilemma as they are apprehensive and have a perception that Congress might join hands with the TMC either before or after Lok Sabha elections, he said. "Nearly 2000 activists from various political parties including TMC, BJP and AIUDF (an alliance partner of TMC) have joined us. They feel that Congress is the only platform from where you can fight against TMC and BJP," Mitra said.

According to the state Congress sources, the party was yet to take a call on whether to forge an alliance with the CPI(M) or not for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. However, the state unit has conveyed to the party high command that it was completely against any sort of alliance with the TMC. "There is no question of an alliance with TMC in Bengal. It is TMC which has tried to wipe out Congress in the state by poaching on our elected representatives," a senior Congress leader said.

(With inputs from agencies.)