Wed Jan 29 05:38:50 UTC 2025: ## Mamata Banerjee Blames Congress for BJP’s 2024 Victory in New Book
KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has leveled sharp criticism against the Congress party, blaming its actions for the BJP’s return to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In her new book, “Banglar Nirbachon o Amra” (Bengal elections and us), released at the Kolkata International Book Fair, Banerjee analyzes the election results, arguing that the INDIA bloc’s failure stemmed from Congress’s shortcomings.
Banerjee contends that despite Trinamool Congress’s efforts to unite anti-BJP forces under a common minimum program and manifesto, Congress’s lack of cooperation undermined the coalition. She claims that despite being offered the leadership position, Congress failed to deliver on these crucial aspects, leading to infighting within the bloc and ultimately benefiting the BJP, which did not secure a majority. The Chief Minister also alleges that Congress’s own Lok Sabha seats were largely due to the support of other INDIA bloc allies.
Furthermore, Banerjee accuses Congress of a clandestine understanding with the BJP in West Bengal, despite a seat-sharing arrangement with the Left Front. She credits Trinamool Congress’s improved performance (29 seats compared to 22 in 2019) to the popularity of her government’s development initiatives. In contrast, the BJP’s tally dropped from 18 to 12 seats, Congress won only one, and the Left Front secured zero.
First Piper 