Trinamool, Congress come closer

A mutually supported candidate would distance the Left, affecting Opposition unity

New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee after a meeting of the opposition leaders to discuss the strategy for the upcoming Presidential elections, in New Delhi on Friday. PTI Photo by Subhav Shukla (PTI5_26_2017_00097B)

Following a comment by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to “work closely” with the Congress in a united fight against the BJP, speculation is rife about a negotiation between the Trinamool Congress and Congress for a Rajya Sabha seat from the State, presently held by CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Mr Yechury’s term ends in August and the last date of filing nominations is July 28.

Ms. Banerjee is leaving for Delhi on Monday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of president-elect Ram Nath Kovind and is “likely” to meet Sonia Gandhi to discuss the issue.

Left unsure

Mr. Yechury was elected for his second term in 2011. The CPI(M) leadership is divided on re-nominating him for a third term. The party’s Central Committee will seal the issue by July 25 after a “probable voting”, says a party insider.

“In all probability Yechury will not be re-nominated,” said a senior party leader. If Mr. Yechury is not re-nominated, the Congress is unlikely to back another CPI(M) candidate, sources said.

Possible options

In such a scenario, the Bengal CPI (M) may back the Congress, which has 35 MLAs, to elect a member. The support of 42 MLAs is required for a Rajya Sabha seat; Congress officially has 36 MLAs, while the CPI (M) has 26 members while the Left Front together has 33 MLAs. With 211 MLAs, the TMC can send five MPs.

Three possible candidates from the Congress are sitting Rajya Sabha MP Pradip Bhattacharya, Deepa Dasmunshi, wife of former Congress Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi and Omprakash Mishra. Ms. Gandhi may also propose a fourth candidate, says a senior Congress leader in the State.

The CPI (M) is likely to back Mr. Mishra as he played a decisive role in forging the Left-Congress alliance during the 2016 Assembly polls and is the popular face of the party in the State.

However, a TMC-Congress backed candidate would would distance the CPI (M) from the Congress in the State. The decision of the Congress High Command after a meeting with Ms Banerjee will be keenly watched.

A section of Bengal Congress has suggested that Ms Gandhi talk to the Left to seek support for a Congress candidate.

The decision will play a crucial role in a possible opposition alliance in Bengal and the Centre.