West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her Trinamool Congress (TMC) would provide external support to the I.N.D.I.A bloc's government at the Centre following the Lok Sabha elections, should the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its alliance face defeat. Addressing a rally in Chuchura, Mamata emphasized that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would not secure enough seats to form the next government, paving the way for the I.N.D.I.A. alliance to assume power.
Asserting that the TMC would play a decisive role in the formation of the I.N.D.I.A. government, Mamata predicted that the bloc could secure over 315 seats, well above the majority mark. This announcement marks the first time Mamata has articulated her party's stance on supporting the I.N.D.I.A. government.
Mamata's involvement in uniting opposition parties ahead of the elections was instrumental in forming the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, which she named. Despite her efforts, the TMC decided to contest all parliamentary seats in West Bengal independently after the Congress rejected their offer of only two seats. Accusations have been exchanged between Mamata and leaders of the Congress and CPI(M) in West Bengal, with Mamata alleging collusion between them and the BJP to undermine the TMC.
To counter these allegations and maintain support among Muslims, Mamata and TMC leaders have emphasized their continued participation in the I.N.D.I.A. alliance. Mamata's history of providing external support to governments, including the NDA under Atal Behari Vajpayee and the UPA led by Manmohan Singh, adds weight to her commitment.
However, Mamata's decision has faced criticism from the Congress and CPI(M), who accuse her of aligning with the BJP to protect her nephew from corruption probes. Despite these challenges, Mamata remains resolute in her support for the I.N.D.I.A. government, citing the need for funds from the Centre for West Bengal's development and welfare.
