Rahul Gandhi asks Congress workers not to celebrate Mamata’s defeat, calls Bengal result “robbery of democracy”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has asked party workers and leaders not to celebrate the defeat of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, describing the election outcome as a “robbery of democracy” rather than a political victory. His remarks come amid reports of sections within the Congress expressing quiet satisfaction over the Trinamool Congress’s electoral setback.

In a strongly worded message, Rahul Gandhi cautioned party members against indulging in what he termed “petty politics,” stressing that the situation in Bengal reflects a larger threat to democratic institutions. He stated that the issue is not about one party’s loss but about alleged irregularities in the electoral process, which he believes undermine the foundations of democracy.

Rahul Gandhi also publicly supported Mamata Banerjee’s claim that more than 100 seats in West Bengal were “stolen.” Expanding his criticism, he alleged that similar patterns had been observed in previous elections across multiple states, including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and the 2024 general elections, indicating what he described as a repeated strategy.

According to reports, Rahul Gandhi reached out to Mamata Banerjee after the results to express solidarity, signaling a shift in political messaging despite longstanding rivalry between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress in the state. His intervention is being seen as an attempt to reposition the Congress within a broader opposition framework against the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The statement has also had immediate political implications within the Congress, dampening internal enthusiasm over Trinamool’s defeat. By framing the results as a democratic concern rather than a partisan gain, Rahul Gandhi has emphasized unity against a common political opponent, potentially reshaping opposition dynamics in the aftermath of the Bengal elections.