KC Venugopal dismisses TMC-Congress merger rumours, says talks focused on INDIA alliance

Refuting speculation over a potential merger between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on Thursday (July 11) dubbed them as "baseless rumours."

‘Routine INDIA alliance talks’

Speaking to reporters, Venugopal further stated that the recent meeting between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and separate discussions between TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi were routine talks which were an extension of the discussion regarding the INDIA alliance.

The senior Congress leader also said that the core objective of the meetings remained a unified front to "strengthen the fight against this anti-democratic government."

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"These are totally rumours. Yesterday, our communication secretary already stated that these are baseless things. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee held routine discussions when they met Madam (Sonia Gandhi) and Rahul Gandhi. That's an extension of the India Alliance discussion, because everybody wants to strengthen India Alliance. Everybody wants to strengthen the fight against this anti-democratic government. We will go together in that way, that is only the discussion point, nothing else," he said as quoted by ANI.

Alleges nomination irregularities

As for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, Venugopal alleged serious irregularities in the nomination process, particularly over the rejection of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's papers in Madhya Pradesh.

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He questioned the decision, claiming that nominations containing discrepancies had been accepted while Natarajan's was rejected "without any ground."

Calling the episode a case of "seat chori" (theft of a seat), Venugopal said the development reflected the "pathetic condition of Indian democracy now." He also criticised the Election Commission, stating that Congress leaders had approached the poll body immediately after the incident.

'Seat Chori' charge against ECI

"We went to the Election Commission of India that night itself," he said, adding that party representatives had to stage a dharna before being allowed to submit a complaint. Despite subsequent meetings with senior ECI officials, "one day already over, no decision from the ECI, so far," he said.

Venugopal further asserted, "We will fight legally and politically."