Kolkata: The factional arguments in Bengal shocked the Congress and its leaders were singing different tunes. WBPCC President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury categorically stated that the INC was never and still is not in alliance with the ISF.
“I have been saying this since before the elections. On behalf of the INC, I had joined hands with the Left. I have no alliance with the ISF. So, during the election in Murshidabad, the ISF fielded its candidates and called on the public. Was told to defeat. Congress. After that, I am declaring again, we have no alliance with ISF. I don’t need to know who says what. As state president I am saying “We had no alliance with ISF, we only had alliance with Left. What happened between Left and ISF is their issue. If we were in alliance, ISF would not have fought us, it’s simple maths.”
After Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury denied INC’s alliance with ISF, Congress leader Abdul Mannan reacted to his statement, and said, “We are in alliance till it is dissolved by Sonia Gandhi”.
Firing Mannan said, “We (United Front) did not win due to several reasons. We had decided that we will stand with the elected candidate of United Front, ISF candidate Naushad Siddiqui, if he faces any problems. I felt, as a fellow politician, it was important to help them.”
Clarifying the rift, he said, “I don’t believe what he (Adhir Ranjan) says. I work according to the instructions of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. If Sonia Gandhi leaves the alliance, that’s when. I will also say Delhi, I will agree.”
He said that the alternative of Modi is Rahul Gandhi and there is no other option but Congress.
Congress did not register in West Bengal elections and its dismal performance created controversy.
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