Congress May Offer Mamata Banerjee a Key Role, Make Her Kharge’s Deputy; What’s the Offer for Abhishek?

Reports of a possible merger between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress have sparked fresh political speculation, but no final decision has been taken. The discussion intensified after meetings between members of the Gandhi and Banerjee families in Delhi, which were widely seen as politically significant. Although leaders from both parties have publicly denied merger talks in the past, the issue has returned to the spotlight amid new reports about possible national-level roles for Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee if a merger were to happen.

According to reports citing Congress sources, the party has allegedly offered senior national posts to the two TMC leaders. One report says Mamata Banerjee could be made a national vice president, while Abhishek Banerjee could be offered the post of Congress general secretary. However, there has been no official public confirmation from either side. TMC leadership has also remained silent on the matter.

Questions remain over how any merger would take place, especially as the TMC appears to be split at the legislature and parliamentary levels. Some reports say rebel groups within the party are becoming more active. One expelled MLA, Ritabrata Banerjee, has claimed that the number of rebel members has risen to 64. Separately, around 19 MPs are said to be considering forming a different group under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. There is also speculation that a breakaway faction may soon approach the Election Commission of India seeking rights over the party’s name and symbol.

At the same time, the reports suggest that the rumored merger is not being presented as an immediate reality. One TMC lawmaker has publicly denied that the party’s legislative group is joining Congress. The statement reflects the uncertainty surrounding the situation and the gap between speculation and official position.

Political observers say the recent Delhi meetings have fueled assumptions about closer ties between the two parties. However, sources indicate that no formal merger proposal has been placed on the table by Congress. Instead, the discussions are believed to have focused on strengthening the opposition, the future strategy of the INDIA bloc, and the political situation in West Bengal.

Some reports also suggest that TMC has accepted Rahul Gandhi’s leadership as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, adding another layer to the changing political dynamics between the two parties. Still, none of these developments amount to an official decision on merger.

There are differing views within Congress as well. A senior leader reportedly said that a merger with TMC could be a positive step because it might help prevent defections by TMC legislators and MPs. At the same time, he stressed that any such proposal should come from TMC itself. In West Bengal, however, a section of the Congress is said to be opposed to the idea.

For now, the situation remains fluid, with merger talk, possible leadership offers, internal factional splits, and alliance strategy all contributing to a politically sensitive and evolving story.