Congress, Left Front Call Mamata Banerjee ‘Corrupt, Communal’, Reject Anti-BJP Platform Offer

The Congress, the Left Front and the CPI-ML (Liberation) on Sunday firmly rejected an appeal by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to build a united opposition platform against the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal and at the national level.

The sharp reactions came a day after Banerjee issued a video message calling on all anti-BJP forces, including national and Left parties, to come together following the BJP's sweeping victory in the recently concluded Bengal Assembly elections.

Left Parties Reject Mamata's Appeal

Responding to Banerjee's proposal, CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim dismissed any possibility of political cooperation with the Trinamool Congress.

"Absolutely not. We will not accept anyone identified as criminal, extortionist, corrupt and communal. We will stand by people and the marginal population," Salim said.

The rejection comes at a difficult moment for the CPI(M), which is now out of power in every state after losing the Kerala Assembly elections, ending a 49-year presence in state governments.

CPI state secretary Swapan Banerjee also ruled out any alliance with the TMC.

"The question of joining forces with Banerjee doesn't arise. Democracy was in peril during her regime..." he said.

Congress Questions 'Ultra-Left' Remark

The Congress too reacted strongly to Banerjee's remarks, particularly her reference to "ultra-Leftists" while urging opposition unity.

State Congress spokesperson Soumya Aich Roy said the party was shocked by the statement.

"We can't believe our ears. You (Banerjee) invited national parties, indicating the Congress, Left and the ultra-Left to join you. What do you mean by ultra-Left? Do you mean the Maoists, who killed 18 Congress leaders and workers in Chhattisgarh on May 25, 2013?" Roy said.

His remarks referred to the deadly Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh in 2013, in which several Congress leaders and workers lost their lives.

Mamata Calls For Anti-BJP Front

On Saturday, shortly after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as chief minister, Banerjee released a video appeal asking opposition groups to unite against the BJP.

"I urge all opposition parties in Bengal, student organisations and NGOs to unite against the BJP. A united platform can be formed with all political parties opposing the BJP," the TMC chief said.

"Along with the national parties, I urge the Leftists and the ultra-Leftists to unite in Bengal as well as in Delhi. If any political party wants to speak to me, I am available. It must be remembered that our first enemy is the BJP," she added.

BJP Dismisses Banerjee's Remarks

Reacting to Banerjee's outreach, Adhikari brushed aside her political relevance after the election results.

"She is irrelevant in politics," he said.

In the recently concluded Assembly elections, the BJP secured a dominant victory by winning 207 out of Bengal's 294 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80 seats.

TMC leaders declined to comment on the reactions from the Congress and Left parties.