TMC-Cong Friction In Bengal, Kanimozhi’s Outreach Fuel Talk Of Regional Realignment

Are the regional constituents of the INDIA Bloc beginning to work among themselves, without the Congress playing the role of “big brother”? While the Gandhis have maintained a cordial relationship with Mamata Banerjee, recent developments surrounding two bypolls in West Bengal have raised questions over the equation. On the day the Election Commission froze the Trinamool Congress’s party name and symbol, DMK leader Kanimozhi met Banerjee at her residence. The Congress, meanwhile, moved quickly to attack the poll panel’s decision, with general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal calling it “the Election Commission’s gift” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday. His remarks came as Kanimozhi’s meeting with Banerjee fuelled speculation about regional parties exploring a political platform that could operate independently of the Congress. The timing has acquired significance because the TMC and Congress are contesting the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls separately. Unconfirmed reports suggest Banerjee was willing to accommodate the Congress in one of the seats and had approached Venugopal. There has, however, been no response from the Congress to the reported outreach. Kanimozhi’s engagements have extended beyond Bengal. She met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in the presence of MPs Anil Desai and Milind Narvekar. The discussions reportedly covered the delimitation Bill, the Congress’s approach towards the BJP and the future of the INDIA Bloc. She also met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule amid reports of differences between the Congress and NCP (SP) in Maharashtra. The developments come against the backdrop of an inactive INDIA Bloc coordination mechanism. Its 14-member committee met only once, on September 13, 2023. A proposal for regular meetings also faltered after a planned Hyderabad meeting in August 2026 failed to take place.