TNN, New Delhi :
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, spurring efforts to bring about a broad opposition unity, which includes Congress, to oppose BJP in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The much-anticipated meeting came against the backdrop of moves to form a federal front which was seen as “parallel” to Congress’s efforts to rally the opposition. The Mamata-Sonia meeting seems to indicate a convergence even as Trinamool seeks greater space for regional parties in states where they face BJP.
Banerjee is understood to have told Sonia that Congress should cooperate in allowing regional parties take on BJP in respective strongholds, a move which calls on the latter to “sacrifice” its interests for a larger cause. Yet, in Mamata’s interaction with Sharad Pawar, the NCP leader is understood to have made the point that an opposition line-up minus Congress is not feasible.
The meeting with Sonia could mark the start of a conversation that acknowledges the need to accommodate Congress even as Banerjee seeks a more prominent role in national politics. After a half-hour meeting at 10 Janpath, Banerjee told reporters that she discussed the “political situation in the country” with Sonia who she has “always had a good relationship and will continue to have a good relationship”.
The Trinamool leader has been unhappy over Congress’s reluctance to involve “secular” players in campaigns such as Gujarat and not sufficiently acknowledging the clout of regional parties. Wednesday’s meeting can be seen as a thaw of sorts in the jostling for pole position in the opposition camp.
Banerjee said that she informed Sonia about her interactions with a host of other party leaders on Tuesday and that they all agreed that the fight against BJP will have to be fought together. The Trinamool chief also spoke to SP leader Akhilesh Yadav on the phone.
“I have said that it should be a one-to-one fight against BJP by each party in their places of strength and the others should support it. Like in Karnataka Congress is strong… it will fight BJP one on one… Congress will do well in Karnataka.” She mentioned the strength of RJD in Bihar and SP and BSP in UP.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, spurring efforts to bring about a broad opposition unity, which includes Congress, to oppose BJP in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The much-anticipated meeting came against the backdrop of moves to form a federal front which was seen as “parallel” to Congress’s efforts to rally the opposition. The Mamata-Sonia meeting seems to indicate a convergence even as Trinamool seeks greater space for regional parties in states where they face BJP.
Banerjee is understood to have told Sonia that Congress should cooperate in allowing regional parties take on BJP in respective strongholds, a move which calls on the latter to “sacrifice” its interests for a larger cause. Yet, in Mamata’s interaction with Sharad Pawar, the NCP leader is understood to have made the point that an opposition line-up minus Congress is not feasible.
The meeting with Sonia could mark the start of a conversation that acknowledges the need to accommodate Congress even as Banerjee seeks a more prominent role in national politics. After a half-hour meeting at 10 Janpath, Banerjee told reporters that she discussed the “political situation in the country” with Sonia who she has “always had a good relationship and will continue to have a good relationship”.
The Trinamool leader has been unhappy over Congress’s reluctance to involve “secular” players in campaigns such as Gujarat and not sufficiently acknowledging the clout of regional parties. Wednesday’s meeting can be seen as a thaw of sorts in the jostling for pole position in the opposition camp.
Banerjee said that she informed Sonia about her interactions with a host of other party leaders on Tuesday and that they all agreed that the fight against BJP will have to be fought together. The Trinamool chief also spoke to SP leader Akhilesh Yadav on the phone.
“I have said that it should be a one-to-one fight against BJP by each party in their places of strength and the others should support it. Like in Karnataka Congress is strong… it will fight BJP one on one… Congress will do well in Karnataka.” She mentioned the strength of RJD in Bihar and SP and BSP in UP.
