West Bengal News Desk!! Congress has changed its strategy for West Bengal. The party has handed over the command to Shubhankar Sarkar in place of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. As soon as he took over the post of Congress President, Shubhankar Sarkar made it clear how he will deal with TMC in the coming days. But after the appointment of Shubhankar Sarkar, many changes can be seen in Bengal politics. Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary may not have said anything on the appointment of Shubhankar, but he has continuously opened a front against the Mamata government. At the same time, on making Shubhankar Sarkar the state president, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary said that it does not matter who the state president is.
Chaudhary has a different stance on TMC
After assuming the post of president, Subhankar Sarkar said in a conversation with a TV channel that TMC is a political party, if it succeeds in protecting democracy in the state then we do not need to oppose it unnecessarily. Subhankar’s statement is different from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s stand on TMC. On the day of Subhankar’s swearing-in, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was also leading a protest against TMC in Howrah on the issue of law and order.
Will Congress go with TMC?
The position of Congress is weak in Uttar Pradesh. But, the party gave a big blow to BJP by allying with Akhilesh Yadav in the 2024 elections. Congress tried to form a similar alliance in Bengal, but failed to form an alliance with TMC. Mamata was ready to give three to four seats to Congress, but TMC alleged that the alliance could not happen due to the stubborn attitude of Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary. In the Lok Sabha elections, out of 42 seats in Bengal, Congress won only one seat, while Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary lost the election. With the appointment of Shubhankar Sarkar, the party has made it clear that it is changing its strategy towards TMC in Bengal. The party’s stance may remain soft against the Mamata government.
Let us tell you that after August 9, no leader except Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary has spoken out against the Mamata government embroiled in the Kolkata rape case. Rahul Gandhi kept avoiding questions in Rae Bareli during his UP tour, although he definitely raised questions on the local administration by tweeting. However, he also mentioned Hathras, Kathua and Unnao. If we look at the top leadership of the Congress, no one has made any statement against Mamata.
Relations with the left are in limbo
Shubhankar Sarkar’s statement of not opposing TMC unnecessarily holds a lot of importance. It remains to be seen whether the party goes with the Left in Bengal or not. Both the parties have had an alliance in Bengal since 2016, although the alliance of the Left and Congress has not got much success. Adhir Ranjan has always been in favor of an alliance with the Left, but after Shubhankar’s arrival, it remains to be seen with whom the party will go.
Assembly elections will be held in Bengal in 2026. Subhankar Sarkar said that his focus will be on strengthening the Congress in Bengal, although the doors will always be open for allies.