TMC, BJP two sides of same coin: Cong president Kharge
The Statesman | 8 April 2026
The Indian National Congress on Tuesday sharpened its attack on both the ruling Trinamul Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge asserting that the two parties are “two sides of the same coin.”
Releasing the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections, Mr Kharge said the Congress aimed to offer a “new alternative” to the people of Bengal, focused on long-term structural reforms rather than what he termed as “cash distribution politics.”
“We want to rebuild and reform Bengal. Our manifesto is not about doling out money but about creating a sustainable future,” Mr Kharge said, marking Congress’s decision to contest the elections independently in the state after nearly two decades. Targeting the Trinamul Congress government, he said that despite being in power for over 15 years, it had failed to generate adequate industrial growth and employment opportunities. “Bengal needs industry and jobs. Young people are migrating to cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad in search of work. This reflects a failure of planning by the state government,” he said. Mr Kharge also accused the BJP of prioritising communal polarisation over development.
“The BJP does not speak about jobs or industry. Their politics revolves around division,” he added, positioning Congress as a third alternative rooted in the ideals of Jawaharlal Nehru. Highlighting corruption allegations in the state, Mr Kharge referred to the recovery of large sums of cash from a state minister’s residence, saying such incidents underscored the need to restore the rule of law. “We must take Bengal towards a system governed by law and accountability,” he said.
The Congress president also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that names of genuine voters had been excluded. He accused the BJP of attempting to “capture power using central agencies like the ED and CBI.” Echoing Mr Kharge’s remarks, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh intensified the attack, stating: “TMC and BJP are two sides of the same coin. What the country needs is a new coin — a third path led by Congress.” His comments are significant given that the Trinamul Congress is a constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc at the national level.
Addressing the apparent contradiction, Mr Ramesh clarified that electoral strategies differ across states. “This is not about the INDIA bloc. In national politics, we are united. But in states, contests are shaped by local realities. If a state government fails to meet people’s expectations, an alternative must be offered,” he said. The sharp rhetoric from Congress leaders signals an intensifying three-cornered contest in West Bengal, even as opposition unity remains intact at the national level.