New Delhi: Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, says that she is willing to join a coalition that includes her arch rival, the Left, if the Congress takes the initiative to form the group.
Ms Banerjee, who in 2011, ended the Left's 34-year-long run in Bengal, made it clear, however, that any partnership would not extend to her home state.
She was present yesterday in Delhi at a conference to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister and Congressman Jawaharlal Nehru. The event was organised by the Congress, and the BJP was not invited.
Ms Banerjee's party, the Trinamool Congress, has been unnerved by gains made in Bengal by the BJP. In the Lok Sabha election, the BJP, powered by Narendra Modi's high-octane campaign, won two of the state's 42 parliamentary seats. In recent Assembly bypolls to two seats, the BJP won South Bashirhat and made an entry into the House. Buoyed by the victory at South Bashirhat, the BJP has launched a membership drive and erstwhile supporters of the Left are believed to be joining in droves as well as disgruntled Trinamool supporters.
Bengal votes for its next government in 2016.
Ms Banerjee, who in 2011, ended the Left's 34-year-long run in Bengal, made it clear, however, that any partnership would not extend to her home state.
She was present yesterday in Delhi at a conference to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister and Congressman Jawaharlal Nehru. The event was organised by the Congress, and the BJP was not invited.
Ms Banerjee's party, the Trinamool Congress, has been unnerved by gains made in Bengal by the BJP. In the Lok Sabha election, the BJP, powered by Narendra Modi's high-octane campaign, won two of the state's 42 parliamentary seats. In recent Assembly bypolls to two seats, the BJP won South Bashirhat and made an entry into the House. Buoyed by the victory at South Bashirhat, the BJP has launched a membership drive and erstwhile supporters of the Left are believed to be joining in droves as well as disgruntled Trinamool supporters.
Advertisement
Bengal votes for its next government in 2016.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Student Arrested For Controversial Post On Mamata Banerjee Harbhajan Singh's Open Letter To Bengal Government Over Rape-Murder Probe "Mamata Banerjee Misleading Public, Should Resign": Nirbhaya's Mother What Murdered Doctor's Father Said About A Torn Page From Her Diary Malala Yousafzai's Post On Taliban After Attending Taylor Swift Concert Student Arrested For Controversial Post On Mamata Banerjee "In 40 Years Did Nothing Wrong": Under-Fire Siddaramaiah In Land Scam Case Zomato Calls Blinkit "Adopted Sis". Gets A Cheeky Response Priyanka Gandhi's Heartfelt Rakhi Wish For Brother Rahul Gandhi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.