Mamata willing to test Bengal’s waters ‘alone’, UBT Sena not ready to ‘compromise’

Mumbai: The debate over opposition party India Bloc’s seat-sharing formula intensified on Friday with some alliance partners hinting at going ‘alone’ in next year’s Lok Sabha elections. They are not ready to make ‘compromise’ whether there be assembly elections or in their respective states.

Hinting at no compromise on seat-sharing talks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has claimed that his party is the largest in Maharashtra.
“This is Maharashtra, and Shiv Sena is the largest party here. Congress is a national party. Uddhav Thackeray is holding positive discussions with decision-making leaders of the Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal.

We had always said that Shiv Sena has always been fighting on 23 seats including Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the Lok Sabha elections and it will remain firm,” Raut had said.
Ahead of Shiv Sena (UBT), Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed her desire to test Bengal alone in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

Mamta said, “India’s alliance will be in the entire country. TMC will fight and defeat BJP in Bengal. Remember, only TMC can teach a lesson to BJP in Bengal, not any other party.” A meeting in North 24 Parganas.
However, the Trinamool Congress supremo said the India alliance will contest all seats across the country.
Meanwhile, Congress has said that the agreement will be discussed with all the parties with an ‘open mind’.

Speaking to ANI on Monday, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, “We will take forward the talks on seat sharing only with an open mind and closed mouth.” from public statements)

The Congress leader said different states will present different challenges with regard to taking the seat-sharing talks forward and hence discussions should be held keeping all aspects in mind.

“Seat-sharing talks are on and will continue. We will do what needs to be done. Different states have different conditions and challenges.

We will discuss seat sharing keeping in mind the different (political) realities there.” ,” Ramesh said.
While India’s partners recently came together for their fourth meeting in the national capital, the potentially thorny issue of seat-sharing went unmentioned.
Opposition parties have gathered strength under the umbrella of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance to form a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.