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The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, has emerged victorious in the West Bengal segment of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, securing 29 out of 42 seats.
Buoyed by this success, Banerjee has hinted at the possibility of the INDIA bloc, which includes her party, assuming power at the Centre. She pointedly remarked that governments can be short-lived, suggesting that the current BJP-led government may not endure.
During a meeting of the TMC Parliamentary Party, Banerjee criticized the BJP for falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha and having to rely on allies. She also took a swipe at the BJP's previous claims of winning 400 seats.
Despite falling short of a majority, the INDIA alliance remains optimistic about forming a government. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has indicated that the alliance will take appropriate steps to realize the people's desire for an alternative to the BJP.
Banerjee also used the opportunity to reiterate her opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed by the BJP-led government using "brute force." She demanded the cancellation of such laws.
On the subject of the upcoming oath-taking ceremony for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers, Banerjee announced that the TMC will not be attending as they consider the formation of the government to be "illegal and undemocratic."
Banerjee extended an invitation to all INDIA bloc members to attend a meeting in Kolkata, emphasizing the need to address the issue of prolonged election processes, which spanned seven phases in West Bengal.
Within the TMC, Banerjee was elected as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Party. The party's leadership in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was also finalized, with Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar taking up key roles in the lower house and Derek O'Brien and Sagarika Ghosh assuming leadership positions in the upper house.
The political landscape in India remains fluid, with the BJP facing challenges despite its victory and the INDIA bloc expressing aspirations for governance. The coming days and weeks will likely witness further developments and strategic maneuvers as these parties navigate the post-election scenario.
Source: "Sometimes Governments Last Only A Day": Mamata Banerjee's Reminder