Kolkata, Mar 21: Burying their past bickering, Trinamool Congress and BJP today announced a formal tie-up for all elections including next year's Lok Sabha polls besides the ensuing Panchayat poll in West Bengal. Addressing a joint press conference here, TC supremo Mamata Banerjee and state BJP president Tathagata Roy said that their parties would have seat adjustments for the Panchayet elections likely to be held in mid-may with the objective of humbling both the CPI(M)-led ruling Left Front and the Congress. For the first time both parties would have a common manifesto and a joint campaign for the Panchayet poll, they said.

The TC chief said that the tie-up with BJP would not only be limited to the Panchayat election, but continue for subsequent elections including next year's Lok Sabha poll.
Stating that it was a mistake on her part to have allied with the congress in the last assembly poll in the state, she said, "We gave scope to the Congress, but the party, which has been providing oxygen to the CPI(M) for the last 26 years, ditched us by fielding independent candidates in all seats.

Making it clear that BJP's agenda of Hindutva would not come in the way of the alliance, the TC chief said "our main priority is to fight the Marxists and those helping them. BJP is an all-India party and has its own view point. Their constitution is also different. Since we have a tie-up it will be on the basis of a common agenda," she said. Bureau Report