New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee has taken another jibe at Congress and its alliance. After a meeting with the NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Wednesday, West Bengal CM said that there is "no UPA now."
"A firm alternative course should be made as nobody's fighting against ongoing fascism. Sharad Ji is the seniormost leader and I came to discuss our political parties. I agree with whatever Sharad Ji said. There is no UPA," Mamata Banerjee said after her meeting with NCP Chief Sharad Pawar.
The statement comes at a time when Mamata Banerjee is trying to gather momentum and prepare a template ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections to stand against the ruling BJP.
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"Her (Mamata Banerjee) intention is, in today's situation like-minded forces have to come together at the national level and set up collective leadership," NCP chief Sharad Pawar said after his meeting with Mamata Banerjee.
"We have to provide a strong alternative to leadership. Our thinking is not for today, but for the election. This has to be established and with that intention, she has visited and had a very positive discussion with all of us," Sharad Pawar added.
The NCP president, however, did not himself rule out if Congress can be part of the Lok Sabha 2024 discussion in order to counter Narendra Modi-led BJP.
"Be it Congress or any other party, the thing is that those who are against BJP, if they'll come together, they're welcome," NCP chief said when asked if Congress will be a part amid talks of a "strong alternative" against BJP.
Mamata Banerjee’s meeting with Sharad Pawar comes in the wake of TMC’s strained relationship with the Congress party with a number of leaders from the grand old party-switching over to the ruling party in West Bengal.