KOLKATA: Congress’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra reached West Bengal Thursday morning. However, its stay in Bengal was brief. The journey quickly passed through the eastern districts of Bengal to the next state of Bihar. It is reported that the yatra will re-enter Bengal next week to visit the Congress strongholds of Malda and Murshidabad.Mamata had openly stated that there will be no alliance with the Congress in West Bengal. She had stated the other day that she will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections alone and will decide whether to share the seat with the India Front after the results. The question also arises as to why the journey passed through Bengal in such a short time. Mamata had pointed out that the reason behind the decision was the failed seat sharing talks with the Congress.

Mamata was not informed about Rahul’s journey passing through West Bengal today. Mamata also responded that she should have informed about the journey at least in the name of common courtesy. AICC leaders Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal responded that they will continue their alliance with Mamata’s party and resolve minor disputes. Rahul Gandhi said the other day that he has a good relationship with Mamata and the seat discussion is going on. However, Mamata bluntly maintained that Rahul’s intervention had no impact on the talks. State Congress leader and Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary calling Mamata an opportunist also provoked her. Adhir said the Congress will not beg for the seat and will win without Trinamool’s help.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bengal after ending its journey in Assam. The Congress had said that an opposition alliance could not be imagined without Mamata. The party has described the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as the ‘strong pillar’ of the India Front. Mamata’s announcement was a major blow to the opposition’s ‘India’ coalition.