A fresh political row has erupted within the opposition INDIA bloc after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged a “secret understanding” between Congress, DMK, and the Election Commission (ECI), prompting a sharp response from the Congress, which termed her remarks “irresponsible” and “condemnable.”
The controversy began when Mamata Banerjee, while addressing election rallies in West Bengal ahead of the ongoing Assembly polls, claimed that senior administrative officials from the state were being transferred to Tamil Nadu and suggested that there could be an “understanding” involving the Congress and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin with the Election Commission. She questioned the transfers and said, “What’s the secret understanding… All officers are being sent to Tamil Nadu,” directly naming Stalin and the Congress in her remarks.
Her statements triggered immediate backlash from the Congress leadership, which rejected the allegations outright. Party leaders accused Mamata Banerjee of making baseless claims and said her remarks were damaging to opposition unity. Congress MP Manickam Tagore described the allegations as “irresponsible,” adding that Mamata Banerjee had “lost her composure.”
Congress further asserted that there was no “tacit understanding” with either BJP or Election Commission and said such statements weaken collective efforts against the ruling party at the Centre. Leaders from the party maintained that the INDIA bloc was formed to present a united opposition and cautioned against public statements that could create confusion among voters.
The exchange has exposed visible tensions within the INDIA bloc, an alliance comprising multiple opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, at a crucial time when several states, including West Bengal, are heading into elections.
Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly raised concerns over the Election Commission’s actions in West Bengal, particularly regarding the revision of electoral rolls and the transfer of officials, alleging bias in favour of the BJP. However, Congress has distanced itself from these claims and reiterated that such allegations against alliance partners are unwarranted.
