New Delhi

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Tuesday hit back at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for alleging an understanding between the BJP, Congress and DMK, terming her remarks “highly irresponsible and condemnable.”

In a post on X, Tagore said such statements could weaken the unity of the opposition INDIA bloc at a time when parties need to stand together against the BJP.

“Baseless allegations will only serve to weaken the unity of the opposition parties. This is not the time for irresponsible accusations, but for unity, responsibility and clarity of purpose,” he said.

He also recalled that the Trinamool Congress had, in the past, aligned with the BJP, asserting that the Congress has consistently opposed the BJP and the RSS.

Tagore highlighted the role of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that he has remained steadfast in his criticism of the BJP and RSS despite facing legal and political challenges.

“More than 25 cases have been filed against him; he was disqualified from Parliament and evicted from his official residence. This is the price he has paid for standing up against the RSS and the BJP,” Tagore said.

He urged alliance partners to avoid public disagreements that could undermine the opposition’s collective strength.

The remarks come after Banerjee hinted at a possible understanding between the BJP and its INDIA bloc allies, including Congress and the DMK led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin.

The friction within the opposition alliance is also visible in competing leadership pitches, with leaders from different parties projecting their respective chief ministers as potential faces of the bloc.

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Meanwhile, West Bengal is set to witness a high-stakes electoral contest, with polling for the 294-member Assembly scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, and counting of votes on May 4.