In Siliguri, Minister in the West Bengal government Dilip Ghosh took a sharp stance against former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, questioning her political authority and the viability of the opposition bloc. Addressing speculation regarding potential coordination between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress party, Ghosh asserted that Banerjee has lost grip over her own organizational apparatus. He argued that the broader alliance she claimed to build has disintegrated, leaving her regional outfit struggling to maintain internal cohesion.
Questions Over Opposition Cohesion and TMC Control
Scrutinizing the status of the national opposition alliance, Ghosh raised pointed concerns about political credibility. Commenting on the coalition, he asked, “Where did the INDI alliance go? Mamata Banerjee herself is lost.” He pointed out that an organization that has seen its accounts, offices, symbol, and even candidates slip away cannot present a credible challenge at the national level against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ghosh maintained that the country's governance rests in steady hands, progress is ongoing, and citizens remain satisfied with the current direction, removing any cause for public apprehension.
Upcoming Bypolls and Allegations Surrounding CPM Offices
Turning to the scheduled by-elections across two assembly constituencies in Bengal, Ghosh remarked on the state's traditional enthusiasm for the democratic process. He noted that electoral contests are treated like festive occasions and a form of public entertainment, with candidates eager to campaign even as the ultimate outcome remains widely anticipated by the electorate.
Addressing allegations of vandalism targeting CPM party offices across the state, Ghosh dismissed the claims, arguing that the Left party has lost its organizational footing. Declaring that the CPM no longer retains any political substance, he stated, “The CPM has nothing left now.” Ghosh alleged that party workers themselves orchestrate damage to improvised roadside or pavement setups simply to generate headlines and stay in the news cycle, emphasizing that such tactics hold no real relevance for the ruling establishment.
Global Fluctuations and National Economic Performance
Examining India's position in global affairs, Ghosh highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's international stature, noting that major world powers actively seek engagement with India. He pointed out that despite massive turbulence across the global economy over the past four to five years, India has managed to insulate its domestic growth from severe external shocks.
Ghosh cited the international volatility in fuel prices to underline the government's fiscal choices, observing that petrol and diesel rates escalated sharply worldwide, reaching 400 rupees per liter in Pakistan. In contrast, domestic fuel prices were kept stable as the administration absorbed the financial losses to protect ordinary citizens from inflationary stress. Describing this approach as a hallmark of decisive leadership, Ghosh underscored that achieving a 7.8 percent GDP growth rate amid such turbulent conditions seemed nearly unattainable, yet it was accomplished. In this broader context, he added, Russia and China have aligned their efforts against forces attempting to destabilize global equilibrium.
