Congress-TMC Merger On Cards? Why Sonia's Olive Branch To Mamata Has Sparked A Buzz
Congress-TMC Merger On Cards? Why Sonia's Olive Branch To Mamata Has Sparked A Buzz Written By, Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 08:45 IST Party insiders
Congress-TMC Merger On Cards? Why Sonia's Olive Branch To Mamata Has Sparked A Buzz Written By, Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 08:45 IST Party insiders who spoke to CNN-News18 said any proposal for a merger or structured political arrangement would have to originate from the TMC Rapid Read Congress leader Sonia Gandhi (left) and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee held a closed-door meeting. A meeting between Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has triggered fresh speculation about the future of ties between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The buzz has been fuelled by reports suggesting that Gandhi reached out to Banerjee at a time when the TMC is battling internal turbulence and facing questions about dissent within its ranks. The interaction has prompted political observers to ask whether the two parties could be headed towards a closer political arrangement or whether the talk of a merger is running ahead of reality. What Did Sonia Tell Mamata? Congress sources, speaking to CNN-News18, said Gandhi conveyed to Banerjee that the Congress and the TMC should not be adversaries and should instead work together politically. ALSO READ | ‘Join Hands With Congress’: Sonia Gandhi Asks Mamata Banerjee To ‘Fight Back’ As Defections Rock TMC Sources said she emphasised that both parties have larger political battles to fight and that the modalities of any future arrangement could be worked out later.
The broad message, according to those familiar with the discussions, was one of cooperation rather than confrontation. The conversation came against the backdrop of growing calls within the INDIA bloc for opposition unity and coordination against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Is A Merger Actually Being Discussed? Despite the speculation, Congress sources insist there is no formal merger proposal on the table. Party insiders who spoke to CNN-News18 said any proposal for a merger or structured political arrangement would have to originate from the TMC. Congress leaders say no such proposal has been received and stress that any major decision would require extensive consultations within the party. West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee also dismissed speculation, saying: “More than two-thirds of our MPs are not merging with the Congress either. So, who is merging with whom? As far as we are concerned, the MPs aren’t going, we aren’t going, the municipal representatives aren’t going, the Zilla Parishad members aren’t going and the Panchayat members aren’t going. There is no question of a merger at all." In short, while there may be a renewed willingness to engage politically, there is no indication at present that the two parties are actively negotiating a merger. The West Bengal Factor One of the biggest hurdles to any Congress-TMC rapprochement remains West Bengal. ALSO READ | ‘Chief Adviser And Guide’: Has Mamata Lost The Trinamool Congress Party She Had Built?
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