Why Mamata Banerjee is advising West Bengal to vote against some allies in INDIA bloc?

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been constantly cautioning voters in West Bengal against supporting Congress and CPI(M), which she believes would inadvertently benefit the BJP by splitting votes.

The TMC supremo, a key figure in the INDIA bloc, has been urging voters to maintain focus and avoid dividing their attention among other parties, including BJP and her own allies within the INDIA bloc such as Congress and CPI(M).

Banerjee's criticism extended to the alliance of Congress, CPI (M), and Indian Secular Front (ISF), accusing them of aligning with the BJP's interests in West Bengal. She urged voters to reject this alliance, asserting that their support would inadvertently strengthen the BJP's position in the state.

Banerjee, rallying in Murshidabad earlier, promised protection against the controversial CAA and NRC while vowing to oppose the UCC. Encouraging support for her Trinamool Congress party, she assured citizens of Malda and Murshidabad of her unwavering commitment to preserving their citizenship rights and cultural identities.

In her impassioned speeches in Malda, Banerjee urged voters to choose Trinamool for safeguarding their rights and resisting the imposition of the UCC. She warned against the potential consequences of divisive politics and advocated for unity against the BJP's alleged divisive tactics.

Mamata not a part of INDIA bloc?
The TMC supremo also clarified her stand about INDIA Bloc and how she is not part of the Bloc in Bengal but in New Delhi.

"I have formed INDIA Alliance and will work on it if Alliance comes to power. But not in Bengal during election. It is a strategy of BJP, so that Congress, CPI-M divides the vote and it helps BJP... We will not allow BJP to come to power again," Banerjee said.

The chief minister once again made it abundantly clear that she would keep harping on the trident (the NRC, the CAA, and the National Population Register) a major poll plank in Bengal, which has dominant minority population in Malda and Murshidabad districts.

Banerjee also dared BJP to stop "Lakshmir Bhandar", a scheme for women which gives Rs 1000 to every women. She said, "Lakshmir Bhandar will be received by women till death. Minority gets scholarships. Minorities, Muslim clerics, tribals, women, school children-all gets benefits of social welfare schemes. We have built walls of Muslim religious places and helped people," Banerjee said while talking about his work in the minority.

Malda- Congress' stronghold
In the Congress stronghold of Malda, Banerjee emphasized the close alliance between CPI-M and Congress, noting their lack of acceptance among the people. She rallied support for Trinamool's candidate Prasun Banerjee in Malda North, assuring voters that he would effectively represent their interests in Parliament.

Banerjee also reached out to migrant workers, announcing the establishment of a Migrant Worker's Welfare Board. She highlighted the introduction of health cards for migrant workers employed in other states, offering them assistance during times of need.

Criticising the Modi government, Banerjee likened the current state of affairs in the country to a "jail of democracy," urging the youth to take on the responsibility of safeguarding the nation's future.

'Congress, CPI(M) joined hands with BJP'
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused its INDIA bloc partners CPI (M) and Congress of "joining hands with the BJP" in West Bengal and asserted that the opposition alliance has "ceased to exist" in the state. The Trinamool Congress supremo urged people not to cast their votes in favour of the Left-Congress-ISF alliance in West Bengal as "voting for them would mean voting for the BJP".

"Don't cast your votes in favour of Congress, the CPI (M) and their ally, a minority party (Indian Secular Front) in the state if you want to defeat the BJP," she said.

Banerjee claimed that although TMC leaders are being "hounded by the CBI and ED", not a single CPI (M) or Congress leader in West Bengal has been arrested by these agencies.

In January, Banerjee had announced that her party would contest the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal alone, rebuffing efforts by the Congress leadership to negotiate a seat-sharing agreement.

The TMC, however, is part of the opposition INDIA bloc at the national level. The decision by the Trinamool Congress to go alone in West Bengal has set the stage for a three-cornered electoral battle.

The TMC is contesting in all the 42 Lok Sabha seats of the state.

(With inputs from ET bureau, agencies)