Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee met Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi on Sunday, ahead of the opposition INDIA bloc meeting scheduled for Monday.
The TMC termed the meeting “warm” and said the two leaders discussed “the road ahead.”
Leaders from 23 political parties in the INDIA bloc are set to meet on Monday to reshape their strategy against the BJP and address internal differences following shifting political dynamics after regional heavyweights TMC and DMK suffered defeats in the recent assembly elections.
“Our Hon’ble Chairperson Smt Mamata Banerjee, along with our Hon’ble National General Secretary Shri Abhishek Banerjee, met Shri Arvind Kejriwal Ji in Delhi today,” the party said in a post on X.
The party added that the leaders had a “warm interaction” followed by extensive discussions on “the road ahead.”
The TMC also stressed the need for unity and referred to building a “better future” in 2029, an apparent nod to the next Lok Sabha elections.
“When the people of India come together, no force on earth can stop their journey towards justice, dignity, and a better future in 2029,” the party said.
Mamata Banerjee is currently in Delhi to participate in the INDIA bloc meeting.
The meeting between Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal comes months after AAP announced its exit from the INDIA alliance.
AAP is also unlikely to participate in Monday’s INDIA bloc meeting.
The INDIA bloc meeting is taking place amid growing tensions among some alliance partners, with the DMK deciding to skip the gathering over what it called Congress’ “betrayal” in Tamil Nadu, while the CPI(M) has expressed displeasure over allegations by senior Congress leaders that the Left had collaborated with the BJP in Kerala.
Despite the changing political landscape, the TMC has maintained close engagement with Kejriwal and AAP, with leaders from both parties meeting several times over the past two years, including during opposition outreach initiatives following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and ahead of key opposition discussions.
The TMC has also consistently supported Kejriwal and the AAP in their disputes with the center.
There was no immediate indication from either side on whether the Mamata Banerjee – Kejriwal meeting included discussions on the INDIA bloc meeting or future opposition coordination.