Mamata Banerjee ‘ready to back Congress where it’s strong’; seeks reciprocity in Bengal

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that she was ready to support Congress in regions where it was strong, provided it supported her in West Bengal, thereby making her stand on Opposition unity clear ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. This is a marked shift in stance from two months ago, when the Trinamool Congress had maintained equidistance from the Congress and BJP.
“Wherever Congress is strong, let them fight and we will support them... If you want to achieve something good, then you have to sacrifice in certain areas,” she said, sending a clear message on supporting Congress in the general elections.

“I have no problem supporting them but they should also support us. I am giving you support in Karnataka but you cannot fight against me every day in Bengal.” “Strong regional parties should be given priority in regions where they have their strongholds. There should be a level playing field for every political party to save the country and democracy in 2024,” Banerjee said.

“Wherever the regional parties are strong, the BJP cannot give a strong fight in those places. People are demoralised and unhappy with them. The regional party (Trinamool) should fight in Bengal, AAP in Delhi, other regional parties should fight accordingly in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Punjab Wherever a party is strong, they must contest,” she said.

NITI AAYOG MEETING
Mamata Banerjee will go to New Delhi to participate in a Niti Aayog meeting on May 27. “...will take up issues related to the state.”