Congress Rules Out Merger With TMC Amid Growing Political Speculation

The Congress leadership has categorically denied reports suggesting that discussions are underway for a merger with the Trinamool Congress, seeking to put an end to speculation that intensified following a series of high-profile meetings between leaders of the two parties in New Delhi.

Speaking after a key organisational meeting attended by senior Congress leaders, General Secretary K.C. Venugopal described the merger rumours as entirely baseless. He maintained that there had been no conversations regarding the absorption of the Mamata Banerjee-led party into Congress and said recent interactions were linked exclusively to opposition alliance matters.

The clarification comes at a time when political developments in West Bengal have triggered widespread speculation regarding the future of the Trinamool Congress. Internal dissent, resignations by senior leaders, and reports of growing divisions among lawmakers have raised questions about the party’s stability and long-term prospects.

However, Congress leaders insisted that the meetings held this week should not be viewed through that lens.

Meetings Part of Opposition Coordination Efforts

The controversy emerged after a series of interactions involving senior Congress and Trinamool Congress leaders in the national capital.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi earlier this week. Shortly afterwards, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee held discussions with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

These meetings sparked intense political chatter, with some reports suggesting that larger political realignments could be under consideration.

Congress leaders, however, rejected such interpretations.

According to Venugopal, the discussions were part of regular consultations among parties belonging to the opposition INDIA bloc. He stressed that coordination among alliance partners should not automatically be interpreted as negotiations concerning organisational restructuring or political mergers.

The Congress leadership argued that maintaining communication among opposition parties remains essential as they continue efforts to challenge the BJP at the national level.

Rahul Gandhi Emphasises Congress’ Ideological Position

During the party’s internal deliberations, Rahul Gandhi reportedly delivered a strong message regarding Congress’ role in contemporary Indian politics.

According to leaders present at the meeting, Gandhi argued that Congress remains unique among major political parties because of its ideological consistency.

He suggested that while several political organisations have witnessed shifts in their foundational principles over time, Congress has continued to maintain its core political philosophy.

Gandhi reportedly told party members that this ideological commitment places Congress in the strongest position to challenge the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS.

He expressed confidence that the party would continue to strengthen in the coming years and argued that its commitment to constitutional values, secularism and social justice would attract wider support across the country.

The remarks appeared aimed at boosting organisational morale while reinforcing Congress’ identity as the principal opposition force at the national level.

TMC’s Internal Troubles Fuel Political Rumours

Although Congress leaders denied any merger discussions, the speculation has been amplified by the political uncertainty surrounding the Trinamool Congress.

The party has been facing one of its most challenging periods following setbacks in West Bengal politics.

Several prominent leaders have either resigned from the party or publicly criticised its leadership structure. These developments have fuelled suggestions that sections of the organisation may be reconsidering their political future.

Recent reports have indicated growing unrest among both Members of Parliament and legislators associated with the party. The resignations of senior Rajya Sabha members have added to concerns regarding internal cohesion.

Political observers believe these developments have created an environment where rumours regarding possible realignments or mergers gain traction more easily.

However, Congress leaders have repeatedly stressed that political instability within another party should not be mistaken for negotiations regarding a merger.

Congress Focuses on National Issues

Beyond addressing the merger rumours, the Congress leadership used Thursday’s meeting to outline its political priorities for the coming months.

Party president Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted a range of issues that Congress intends to raise aggressively across the country.

Among the concerns discussed were inflation, unemployment, recruitment examination irregularities, and challenges facing students and young job seekers.

Kharge argued that repeated controversies surrounding competitive examinations and allegations of question paper leaks have weakened public confidence in educational institutions and recruitment systems.

He praised Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to engage directly with affected students and youth groups, describing it as part of the party’s broader commitment to addressing public grievances.

The Congress president also expressed concern about what he described as attempts to weaken democratic institutions and constitutional safeguards.

According to Kharge, the opposition’s responsibility extends beyond electoral politics and includes protecting democratic values and social justice.

Row Over Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejection

The meeting also focused on the recent rejection of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination papers in Madhya Pradesh.

Congress leaders alleged inconsistencies in the scrutiny process and accused authorities of applying different standards to opposition and ruling alliance candidates.

Venugopal said the party would challenge the decision through both legal and political channels.

Senior Congress leaders maintained that transparency and fairness in the electoral process are essential for maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.

The issue is expected to remain a major talking point as the Rajya Sabha election process moves forward.

Congress Targets BJP’s Political Strategy

Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh used the occasion to criticise what he described as the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its parliamentary position through defections and political realignments.

He argued that the ruling party remains determined to secure a larger majority in Parliament but suggested that its broader legislative ambitions would face resistance from opposition parties.

Ramesh claimed that recent political developments involving MPs from opposition parties reflected a larger strategy aimed at consolidating numbers in Parliament.

However, he expressed confidence that the BJP would not succeed in achieving all of its political objectives, particularly on contentious issues involving electoral reforms and constituency delimitation.

Nationwide Campaign Planned

Congress also announced plans for an extensive nationwide political campaign targeting the central government on a range of issues.

According to Venugopal, the campaign is expected to begin later this month and continue for several months across states and districts.

The proposed outreach programme will focus on inflation, unemployment, farmers’ concerns, examination controversies, and governance-related issues.

Party leaders believe sustained public engagement will help strengthen the organisation ahead of future electoral contests while keeping pressure on the BJP-led government.

The campaign announcement came a day after the BJP celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming India’s longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister.

Congress leaders used the occasion to sharpen their criticism of the government and present an alternative political narrative centred on economic challenges and institutional accountability.

Opposition Unity Remains the Priority

Despite rejecting merger speculation, Congress leaders reiterated their commitment to maintaining cooperation among opposition parties through the INDIA bloc framework.

The party signalled that dialogue with regional allies would continue as part of broader efforts to build a united opposition platform.

For now, Congress appears determined to draw a clear distinction between alliance coordination and organisational integration.

While meetings with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have generated political discussion, the party leadership insists that no merger proposal has been considered.

As political uncertainty continues within the Trinamool Congress and opposition parties prepare for future electoral battles, Congress is seeking to project itself as both an ideological anchor and a coordinating force within the wider anti-BJP opposition landscape.