The Congress party has formally turned down a proposal from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to form an alliance for the West Bengal bypolls scheduled for the coming months. The party said it will contest the elections on its own, signalling a move to re‑establish its foothold after the 2021 defeat.
The bypolls, which will decide the representatives for a handful of vacant seats in the state assembly, have drawn attention from major national parties. Congress officials highlighted that a partnership with the ruling Trinamool Congress would compromise its independent stance.
In a statement, Congress leadership outlined a strategy centred on grassroots mobilisation, local outreach and targeted campaigning. The party aims to regain lost support in key constituencies across the state.
The decision has been welcomed by some Congress cadres as a step toward strengthening the party’s identity in West Bengal, while critics remain sceptical about its chances against the incumbent Trinamool Congress.
