IT Correspondent
Mumbai, Mar 18:
While Maharashtra strongman and NCP chief Sharad Pawar is planning to build a third front to oppose BJP in ensuing assembly elections in five states, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal, Pradip Bhattacharya has written to Pawar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, asking them not to campaign for the TMC in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.
In his letter, Bhattacharya has requested both Pawar and Tejashwi Yadav not campaign on behalf of Mamata Banerjee’s TMC. “In West Bengal, the Indian National Congress (INC) is fighting a political battle against the ruling Trinamool Congress, and your presence as Star Campaigner will create confusion among the common voters of West Bengal,” Bhattacharya wrote in both the letters.
These letters come as Congress, which is an NCP ally in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, and a partner with RJD in Bihar. The state, witnessing a high-octane battle between the BJP and the TMC, is going to an eight-phased Assembly poll for 294 constituencies, between March 27 and April 29, 2021. The result will be announced on May 02. There is a triangular fight between TMC, BJP and CPI(M) in West Bengal.
Pawar is planning to address a couple of poll campaign meetings in West Bengal in support of the Trinmool Congress. Besides, another MVA constituent the Shiv Sena has also declared its support to the TMC. The Shiv Sena was earlier planning to contest some seats in West Bengal. However it changed its plans to avoid a split in the votes.
