Congress’ Seat-Sharing Woes Deepen: TMC, AAP, Shiv Sena (UBT) Throw Spanners in the Works

New Delhi: With 2024 Lok Sabha elections looming large, the opposition INDIA bloc’s dream of a united front against the BJP seems to be unravelling at the seams. Despite a recent push to finalize seat-sharing agreements, key partners like Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are flexing their muscles and asserting their independence, throwing a wrench in Congress’s plans.

West Bengal: TMC Flies Solo

Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has declared it will go solo in West Bengal, leaving Congress and the Left Front out in the cold. This comes as a blow to the INDIA bloc’s hopes of capitalizing on TMC’s strong local presence in the crucial eastern state. While Congress contested alone in 2019 and managed only 2 seats compared to TMC’s 22, Banerjee’s confidence in a solo flight reflects her party’s dominant position in Bengal.

Maharashtra: Shiv Sena Wants a Bigger Pie

In Maharashtra, another key battleground, Shiv Sena (UBT) has ruffled feathers by demanding a whopping 23 Lok Sabha seats. This audacious claim has been met with resistance from Congress, which argues that such a hefty allocation is unreasonable based on past performance. The tension highlights the complex calculations of seat-sharing, where regional ambitions clash with national objectives.

Punjab: AAP Takes the Wheel

Adding to the INDIA bloc’s woes, AAP in Punjab has also made it clear that it will contest the polls alone. Despite Congress’s historical stronghold in the state, AAP’s recent electoral dominance has emboldened the party to chart its own course. This leaves Congress facing a formidable challenge if it wants to retain its foothold in Punjab.

Challenges Ahead for Congress

These developments paint a worrying picture for Congress, the central pillar of the INDIA bloc. With allies refusing to play ball and the BJP machinery humming, the party must tread carefully to forge a cohesive opposition front. Finding a balance between accommodating regional aspirations and securing its own interests will be a crucial test for Congress’s leadership in the months to come.