Sonia-Mamta Talk To Change Bengal Scenario?

The 79 th birthday of Sonia Gandhi was celebrated in the Parliament House recently. Almost all the leaders of Congress and allied parties were present to celebrate the birthday. On one side, the President of Congress was seated, and on the other side, the President of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, was seated, with Sonia Gandhi in front of a cake, sources say. During celebrations, some TMC leaders also joined and congratulated Sonia Ji, the source says. Priyanka Gandhi standing behind Sonia Gandhi thanked the TMC leaders but also felt sorry for non presence of TMC leader Mamta Banerjee source says. She said, Mamta ji and Sonia ji have been very good close friend since last many years and her presence would have been a source of encouragement for her mother source says.

TMC members left in between and probably conveyed the message to the CM of West Bengal source says. Within minutes Sonia Ji's phone rang and Mamta Ji was on the other side of phone congratulating the congress leader source says. Sonia Ji replied and thanked but at the same time requested Manta ji to consider the request of Congress to ally in the state to contest the assembly elections together source says. Mamta ji promptly replied that the experience of alliance in Bihar and UP was not good, Akhlish Yadav shared 114 and in Bihar, Tejaswi Yadav gave 61 seats to contest but Congress could win 7 and 6 seats respectively source says. The success percentage is almost. 10% and in Bihar, in alliance with the Communists, who are also an important partner in the mahagathbandhan and in such circumstances, how TMC would fit in, Mamta ji asked, source says.

It's said that Sonia Ji requested to give 30/40 seats to contest and with the experience of the Bihar elections, Congress would not press for Communists to join the alliance as the source says. Mamta ji promptly replied that even if the Congress is allowed under the arrangement to contest 30/40 seats, due to the lack of cadre the TMC workers would have to work for Congress candidates as the source says. She further added that the request to give some seats to contest in Assam and other north-east states, Congress is keeping the decision close to the chest, if congress allows the TMC to contest on some seats in north-eastern states including Assam, the TMC would surely allow Congress to contest in some seats in West Bengal source says. The conversation ended after Sonia Ji’s assertion that she would discuss the matter with Rahul Gandhi for a final decision source says.