Congress Rules Out Trinamool Alliance Despite Backing Mamata Faction During Symbol Dispute

Despite supporting the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the Election Commission of India’s dispute over the Trinamool Congress name and symbol, Congress is not considering an electoral understanding with any Trinamool faction for now.

A senior West Bengal Congress leader said the state unit had conveyed its position to the central leadership. He said grassroots workers remain opposed to any arrangement with Trinamool Congress because of past political confrontations.

The leader said Congress believes such an understanding could strengthen the BJP in West Bengal.

The party wants to establish itself as a major challenger to the BJP in the state.

Congress is meanwhile focusing on the arrest of its Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan. Police arrested Pradhan on September 18 in connection with an old case linked to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement.

The Congress leader said the party’s central leadership had authorised the state unit to raise the issue nationally.

A senior Supreme Court advocate and party leader is expected to represent Pradhan in court.

Pradhan was produced before a court on Saturday. He was remanded to judicial custody until October 3, according to reports.

The case involves four matters concerning rioting, murder and criminal intimidation registered in 2007 during the anti-land acquisition agitation under the Left Front government.

The developments followed Mamata Banerjee’s decision to support Pradhan after her faction’s Nandigram candidate withdrew from the contest. The October 6 bypoll has since gained further political attention.

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