Kolkata: A formal alliance between Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and Congress under Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi would send a “big message” and demonstrate that the two parties’ understanding was genuine, said Saayoni Ghosh, who was among 20 rebel TMC MPs who distanced themselves from Mamata Banerjee’s faction and later merged with little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) in June.Speaking to reporters outside Kolkata airport, Ghosh said she hoped Congress would unite with TMC under Gandhi’s stewardship. She said such an alliance should go beyond a formal arrangement and reflect genuine political coordination between the two parties.“I hope that under Rahul ji, Congress unites with TMC. If this happens, it will send a big message that this alliance is an alliance in the true sense, not just for the sake of saying it,” Ghosh said.Ghosh’s remarks come amid heightened political activity in Bengal before Nandigram byelection, scheduled for Oct 6.The byelection has triggered a political dispute after Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in an old murder case.Asked about Pradhan’s arrest, Ghosh said she was aware cases were pending against the Congress candidate. She described the issue as a matter between the two parties and said political developments often acquire significance before elections.“Regarding the Congress politician who became a candidate — as far as I knew until yesterday, there were some pending cases against him. This is politics, and in politics, one has to consider what decisions might be taken or actions initiated prior to an election,” she said.Ghosh also said political parties had the option of approaching Election Commission or seeking legal remedies.“In a democracy — whether it is Congress, Trinamool Congress or BJP — everyone is free to exercise their democratic rights,” she said.
