Abhishek Banerjee says the Congress leader’s allegation that the Trinamool is helping the BJP in Meghalaya is “very enriching for a party that has lost 40 of the last 45 assembly elections”.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about the Congress (TMC) at an election rally in Shillong on Wednesday drew angry reactions from the Mamata Banerjee-led party, with leaders like Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien hitting out at the Congress.
Gandhi fiercely blamed the BJP and soon turned his attention to the team. “You know the history of TMC. You know the violence that happens in Bengal. You know scams, the Saradha scam that happened. You are aware of their tradition. He went to Goa and spent a lot of money there. The aim was to help the BJP. This is exactly the idea in Meghalaya. The TMC’s idea in Meghalaya is to ensure that the BJP is strong and gains power. From a party which has lost 40 times in the last 45 assembly elections in India.” Congress MP Derek O’Brien recently drew attention to the Congress’ stand in Goa.
TMC MP Saugata Roy said, ‘We do not agree with him. They are baseless. Important leaders like former Mukul Sangma left Congress and joined our party. There is no question of the TMC cutting into Congress votes in Meghalaya. It is a question of Congress cutting TMC votes. When it comes to West Bengal, all other parties like Congress, CPM, and BJP come together against TMC. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi said, we do not agree.
For West Bengal’s Gawah Party, the setback of speaking out in Meghalaya comes months after their efforts to expand their national footprint suffered a setback following a massive defeat in Goa. In November 2021, 12 of the 17 Congress MLAs, including Mukul Maghara, joined the party, turning it into the main opposition party in the assembly. Gandhi’s remarks came a day after party president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress was in touch with parties of other parties for next year’s assembly polls and expressed confidence that his party’s opponents will come to power in a coalition.
Violence after elections, BJP cadre made focus:
Gandhi’s claim that the TMC’s vision in Goa was to help the BJP, and that the same was allegedly planned for Meghalaya, is far-fetched even for leaders like him. It should not be forgotten that the BJP’s focus was made in the post-poll violence in the state of Bengal. TMC goons not only conducted the 2021 assembly elections but also made continuous attacks on BJP nominations and leaders in formate before and during the 2019 national elections.
Throwing petrol bombs, attacking people and even killings have become the norm in West Bengal under the TMC leadership. Several BJP candidates filed nominations and nominations after violence broke out in the state.
Meghalaya Assembly Elections:
Assembly elections if Meghalaya is due on February 27, 2024. Polling for all 60 assembly seats will be held in a single phase. The results of the Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura assembly elections will be declared on March 2, 2024. Polling is over for Tripura, while polling for Nagaland will also occur on February 27.
