Mamata Banerjee 'Very Close' To Me: Rahul Gandhi Downplays Rift With TMC On LS Seat-Sharing

Rahul Gandhi downplayed the recent sharp remarks made by West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury against TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over seat-sharing talks.

File photo of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Source : PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the media on the sidelines of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, on Tuesday downplayed the recent sharp remarks made by West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury against Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee. Gandhi asserted that Mamata Banerjee is "very close" to him, emphasising that such remarks would not disrupt ongoing seat-sharing talks between the two parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal.

"The negotiations on seat-sharing are underway, I don't want to comment here. But Mamata Banerjee is very close to me and our party. Sometimes our leaders say something, their leaders say something, and it goes on. It's a natural thing. Such comments won't matter and these are not things that are going to disrupt things," the Wayanad Lok Sabha MP stated, as per news agency ANI.

"The seat negotiation with TMC is still on. Both me and my party share cordial relationship with Mamata ji, sometimes people from both sides makes comment against each other, this is natural"

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Responding to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's recent statement that Congress would contest the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal without TMC's assistance, Rahul Gandhi maintained that the party is focused on the ongoing discussions. He added, "Our party has invited parties to join the yatra, and our party will feel good if our partners join us."

According to ANI, Chowdhury had made aggressive remarks on January 20, stating, "I don't care about anyone. Our leaders have already spoken. I have reached here only by contesting and winning. We know how to contest and win." His statement came in response to TMC State General Secretary Kunal Ghosh's declaration that TMC would be contesting on all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.

The Congress leader emphasised the importance of sealing the seat-sharing pact before the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi, which is set to reach Uttar Pradesh. The party is keen on finalising the arrangement as part of its electoral strategy for the upcoming polls.

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