Akhilesh Meets Mamata After TMC Rout, Alleges Bengal Polls Held on 'UP Model'
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence in Kolkata, a day after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) suffered a shocking defeat in the bypolls to four assembly seats in the state. The meeting came amid growing tensions between the TMC and the BJP, with Akhilesh alleging that the bypolls were conducted on the 'UP model'—a reference to alleged irregularities in Uttar Pradesh elections.
During the meeting, Akhilesh expressed solidarity with Mamata and condemned what he called the 'farcical' electoral process in Bengal. He claimed that the bypolls were marked by large-scale rigging, intimidation of voters, and misuse of government machinery, similar to the pattern seen in Uttar Pradesh under the BJP government. 'The way elections were held in Bengal is a replica of the UP model, where democracy was trampled upon,' Akhilesh said after the meeting.
The TMC had lost three of the four bypoll seats—Maniktala, Naihati, and Haripal—to the BJP, while retaining only one seat, Khardaha. The results were seen as a major setback for Mamata Banerjee, who had earlier claimed that the BJP would not be able to win a single seat in the state. The bypolls were necessitated due to the resignation of MLAs who had switched to the BJP.
Akhilesh's visit is seen as an attempt to forge a united opposition front against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Both leaders have been vocal critics of the Modi government and have accused it of subverting democratic institutions. Mamata Banerjee has been reaching out to opposition leaders across the country to build a coalition to take on the BJP in the next general elections.
The meeting also comes in the backdrop of the ongoing political turmoil in West Bengal, where the TMC and the BJP have been engaged in a bitter feud. The BJP has accused the TMC of orchestrating post-poll violence, while the TMC has alleged that the BJP is trying to destabilize the state government through unconstitutional means. Akhilesh's support is likely to bolster Mamata's position as a key opposition leader.
Political analysts say that the bypoll results have exposed the vulnerabilities of the TMC and could embolden the BJP to push for early assembly elections in the state. However, Mamata Banerjee has dismissed the results as an aberration and has vowed to fight back. She has also accused the Election Commission of bias and demanded a thorough probe into the alleged irregularities.
Akhilesh Yadav, whose SP is a key ally of the TMC in the opposition camp, reiterated his support for Mamata and said that the opposition needs to stay united to protect democracy. 'We have to stand together against the authoritarian tendencies of the BJP. The people of Bengal will not be cowed down by the misuse of power,' he added.
The meeting between the two leaders lasted for about an hour, during which they discussed the political situation in Bengal and the country. They also exchanged views on the upcoming presidential elections and the need for a common opposition candidate. Both leaders are expected to play a crucial role in the opposition's strategy for the 2024 polls.
Meanwhile, the BJP has dismissed Akhilesh's allegations as baseless and accused him of trying to divert attention from the TMC's failures. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, 'The people of Bengal have rejected the TMC's misrule. Instead of learning from the defeat, Mamata Banerjee is making excuses and seeking support from other failed leaders.' The BJP has also called for a probe into the alleged post-poll violence in the state.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are now on the upcoming assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, where the SP is a key contender. The results of these elections will be crucial in shaping the opposition's narrative against the BJP. For now, the meeting between Akhilesh and Mamata has sent a strong signal that the opposition is determined to put up a united fight.
