Kolkata, May 10, 2026 – In the wake of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s crushing defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, party supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called upon Left parties and even ultra-Left groups to set aside ideological differences and form a broad anti-BJP platform.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stormed to power in the state, securing a clear majority with around 207 seats and ending TMC’s 15-year uninterrupted rule. Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the new Chief Minister, marking the first BJP-led government in West Bengal.
Addressing a gathering outside her residence at Kalighat on May 9 — coinciding with Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary — Mamata Banerjee struck a conciliatory note towards her former political adversaries.
“I call upon all opposition parties, including the Leftists and the ultra-Left, to come together to form a joint platform against the BJP,” she said. Describing the BJP as the “primary enemy” of all secular and democratic forces, Banerjee emphasised the need for collective action beyond mere tactical alliances. She rejected a simple “enemy’s enemy is my friend” approach, instead advocating for a sustained, coordinated effort.
The TMC chief alleged widespread post-poll violence and intimidation against her party workers and claimed that her own security had been withdrawn. She also announced the creation of a relief fund for affected TMC supporters and spoke of embarking on a “new political journey” from the position of opposition.
Banerjee noted that several national opposition leaders, including the Gandhi family, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Akhilesh Yadav, had reached out to express solidarity following the electoral setback.
Cautious Response from the Left
The appeal has elicited measured responses from CPI(M) and other Left parties. Long-standing bitterness between TMC and the Left — stemming from the violent clashes during the Singur-Nandigram movements and TMC’s subsequent rise to power by dismantling the Left Front regime — continues to cast a shadow over any potential alliance.
Political observers view Mamata’s outreach as a pragmatic move necessitated by her party’s reduced strength in the assembly. However, whether the fractured opposition can overcome deep historical rivalries to mount an effective challenge against the new BJP government remains uncertain.
This development mirrors broader national efforts by opposition parties to consolidate against the BJP, though success in Bengal will depend on bridging old wounds and presenting a credible alternative to voters who decisively rejected TMC after 15 years in power.
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