Kolkata, Mar 19 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya on Thursday said that “tacit understanding” between the ruling TMC and opposition BJP is dominating the political narrative in West Bengal ahead of the assembly polls, even as the “manufactured binary” involving the two parties is shrinking the space for the Left and the grand old party.
Speaking to PTI in an interview, Bhattacharya, a former West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president and an ex-MP, described the upcoming state polls as “a very, very tough election” where “nobody can predict what exactly will happen”.
“The entire discourse has been reduced to the TMC-versus-BJP narrative. This binary has marginalised the Congress and the Left, but people in West Bengal are very conscious and sensitive. They understand what is happening,” Bhattacharya said.
“They (BJP and TMC) criticise each other strongly, but when crucial Bills are tabled in Parliament, Trinamool Congress members walk out, allowing the BJP to pass those. This has happened repeatedly. It shows there is a limit up to which they oppose each other,” he alleged.
He further claimed that such a “controlled opposition” benefits both parties electorally.
“This binary has been created to shrink the space for other political forces. But people are beginning to see through the two parties’ rivalry,” he added.
Bhattacharya noted that in the electoral landscape, most major parties are contesting largely on their own this time, making the fight more fragmented and unpredictable.
While the Congress has chosen to go solo, the senior leader acknowledged organisational weaknesses.
“We may not be able to deploy booth agents in all constituencies. Managing nearly 90,000 booths is a huge challenge for us,” he said.
At the same time, he indicated that informal coordination with “like-minded parties” at the ground level could be explored for election-day management, though there is no formal alliance or seat-sharing arrangement.
The senior leader said the decision to contest independently was driven by grassroots workers’ desire for an opportunity to rebuild the party.
“For nearly two decades, we had little or no organisational presence, flag, symbol or campaign in more than 200 constituencies. This created a vacuum. Our workers now want to assess their real strength,” he said.
Bhattacharya further stressed that the Congress’ fight against the BJP is “not merely political but ideological”, rooted in its long-standing commitment to secularism.
“This is a legacy of over 140 years. We cannot compromise on that,” he emphasised.
He also attacked the TMC government, alleging “deep-rooted corruption” and administrative decay.
“Corruption has spread across sectors. It has penetrated down to the grassroots. This is unprecedented,” he alleged.
Bhattacharya also flagged rising unemployment as a critical concern.
“A large number of young people are leaving West Bengal in search of jobs. This brain drain must be stopped, otherwise the state’s future will be at risk,” he said, criticising what he termed as “dole politics”.
“Dole politics may provide temporary relief, but it cannot generate sustainable economic growth or employment. People ultimately want permanent jobs, not dependence,” Bhattacharya said.
Offering a nuanced reading of voter sentiment, he said there is a growing desire for change but there is no clear alternative.
“People want to remove the present government, but the question remains: Who is the next? The answer is not distinctly clear,” he said.
He suggested that voters may eventually gravitate towards a “new face, new formation, or even a combination of forces”, indicating fluid political possibilities.
On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Bhattacharya termed the exercise “hurried” and “partially politically motivated”.
“Such a process requires time, planning and infrastructure. The Election Commission depends on the state machinery, and in a situation of confrontation, implementation becomes difficult,” he said.
He, however, downplayed its overall electoral impact, saying it may affect only limited pockets.
“There will be some impact in certain areas, but not across the entire state,” he added.
On the issue of illegal immigration, Bhattacharya held both the Centre and the state government responsible.
“There has been negligence on both sides. Border management has not been effective, and the system has allowed infiltration. Both governments must share the responsibility,” he said.
Reflecting on governance, the veteran politician contrasted the present regime with past Congress administrations in the state. He cited leaders like Bidhan Chandra Roy, Prafulla Chandra Sen and Siddhartha Shankar Ray as examples of leadership that “functioned above party interests”.
“Earlier governments worked for the people, beyond party lines. Today, governance is largely driven by party considerations,” he said.
Bhattacharya also acknowledged the need for generational change within the Congress, advocating more space for young leaders, women, and candidates from marginalised communities.
Despite the immediate challenges, he expressed confidence in the party’s long-term prospects.
“This election is difficult, but it is also an opportunity to rebuild the party. The Congress has an inherent organisational strength and ideological foundation,” he said.
“Maybe not immediately, but in the coming years, West Bengal will see the return of the Congress,” he added. PTI SCH ACD
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