Battle With BJP, No Space For Congress In Bengal: Bihar Debacle Makes TMC Strategy Clear

Last Updated:November 15, 2025, 10:24 IST

In West Bengal, the Congress once held pockets of influence in Malda and Murshidabad, but its performance deteriorated further in 2024

A similar situation unfolded in 2024, when no alliance materialised between the two parties. (PTI)

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has made it clear that it is not considering any alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Bengal elections next year. Senior party leaders say the TMC sees no reason to engage in any seat-sharing arrangement in the state.

Although coordination between the two parties may continue at the national level, particularly in Parliament, TMC insiders reiterate that an electoral partnership in West Bengal is not on the table. They argue that the party is organisationally strong across the state, leaving little scope or necessity for bringing the Congress into the equation.

Party strategists believe this stance has only strengthened after the Congress’s poor performance in the recent Bihar elections where the party secured a paltry six seats of the 61 it contested. Even within the INDIA bloc, questions may arise about the Congress’s role, but in Bengal, the TMC’s position remains firm: The Congress will not be part of its poll strategy.

A similar situation unfolded in 2024, when no alliance materialised between the two parties. Despite the TMC giving the Congress time to finalise its seat demands, the Grand Old Party failed to meet the deadline, leading party chief Mamata Banerjee to announce that the TMC would contest alone.

In West Bengal, the Congress once held pockets of influence in Malda and Murshidabad, but its performance deteriorated further in 2024. In Berhampore, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was defeated by Yusuf Pathan, signalling a further erosion of the party’s base.

A senior TMC leader told News18, “There is no reason for the TMC to go with the Congress. The TMC is strong everywhere, so why is the Congress needed?"

Experts say the organisational condition of the Congress remains weak in Bengal, while the TMC believes it is in a strong position. This forms the core of the argument against any alliance.

The upcoming battle for Bengal is expected to be a direct contest between the TMC and the BJP, with both the Congress and the Left likely to play minor roles. As a result, political observers agree that the Bengal contest will see no “gathbandhan".

News elections Battle With BJP, No Space For Congress In Bengal: Bihar Debacle Makes TMC Strategy Clear

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