Thaindian News

Kolkata, Sep 14 (IANS) Without naming the Trinamool Congress, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said his party wanted an alliance “based on respect” for next year’s West Bengal assembly polls and asked partymen to strengthen the organisation in the state.
“Our leader said that the alliance must be based on respect and understanding,” said a state Congress leader, who was present at a minority convention addressed by Gandhi at Garden Reach on the outskirts of the city.

“He has asked us to strengthen the party and boost its organisational strength. He advised us not to lend our ears to snide remarks,” the Congress leader said.

Ahead of Gandhi’s visit to the state to revive the party, Trinamool leaders had lashed out against the Congress.

Former state Congress chief Somen Mitra, now a Trinamool Congress MP, heaped scorn on the Congress’ efforts to revitalise the organisation and reach a bargaining position before the polls next year. “Beggars can’t be choosers,” said Mitra.

Even Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee’s comment during a railway function in northern Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri that she was not a “fair-weather friend” has been interpreted by a section of political observers as a broadside on Rahul Gandhi’s visit to North Bengal Wednesday.

Gandhi kickstarted a three-day visit to West Bengal Tuesday, holding closed-door meetings with Youth Congress functionaries and elected representatives in Birbhum, before visiting North 24 Parganas and Kolkata.

On Wednesday, Gandhi will address the tea workers and tribals in Jalpaiguri district which will be followed by an interaction with potential youth candidates. Later in the day, he will address a scheduled caste convention in Coochbehar and an interaction with youths keen to join the Youth Congress at Balurghat in South Dinajpur.

Earlier this month, Gandhi had a closed door meeting with state Congress leaders and told them there was a fine borderline of trust, respect and understanding in an alliance and that should not be crossed.

Political observers feel Gandhi’s frequent visits to the state to boost the party’s organisational strength and sending subtle messages to alliance partner Trinamool Congress could be a pre-cursor to fierce bargaining between the two parties during seat adjustment talks.