New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) Although the Trinamool Congress's Members of Parliament might seem to be taking a solitary path, occasionally harmonizing with other Opposition figures, this reflects a strong directive to establish a distinct identity, especially with the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching next year.

The party aims to be perceived as a pivotal player in Opposition politics, but strictly on its own terms, particularly concerning protests led by the Congress.

While it is a member of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, which the acronym INDIA—coined by Mamata Banerjee—represents, she has opted for an independent stance regarding West Bengal.

On the opening day of the current session, as Parliament gathered, opposition parties gathered outside the Makar Dwar entrance to protest against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.

The Gandhis, along with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, were centrally positioned among the assembled leaders.

Notably, prominent figures of the Trinamool Congress were absent that day, represented only by Bapi Haldar and Mamata Thakur.

Thakur's presence is significant due to her affiliation with the Matua community, whose members have faced religious persecution in Bangladesh since Independence.

Concerns about potential disenfranchisement through the SIR are prevalent in her community.

Despite the vocal opposition to SIR in West Bengal, the absence of well-known Trinamool figures was striking.

They had previously met with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Mamata Banerjee has written to the election body, urging it to halt the process, citing instances of suicides and fatigue linked to the SIR.

In Parliament, the Trinamool Congress is concentrating on state-specific issues, including pending Central funds and inflation, indicating its intention to maintain independent positioning within the INDIA coalition.

The party has prioritized raising issues relevant to West Bengal during the current session, with nearly all MPs present, except for the Leader of Trinamool Congress in Lok Sabha, Abhishek Banerjee, who is expected to join next week.

Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee's nephew and the party's General Secretary, has taken over the role of veteran MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay due to health concerns.

Reportedly, Abhishek has introduced a more vigorous and independent approach in the party's protests.

By deliberately avoiding certain Congress-led demonstrations, Trinamool emphasizes its independence and seeks to avoid being eclipsed by Congress within the Opposition, appealing directly to its voter base in West Bengal.

The party has also opted out of protests led by Congress demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) inquiry into alleged corporate irregularities.

Instead, the Trinamool Congress aims to spotlight issues such as unemployment and inflation, gaining support from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

With state elections scheduled for 2026, the Trinamool Congress is prioritizing its own interests and intensifying its criticisms of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reinforce its position in the state, rather than aligning with national protest movements.

It strives to be recognized as a leader in opposition politics, but solely on its own terms, especially with state polls on the horizon.

A clear message is being sent to allies within the INDIA bloc, notably the Congress, that it will not agree to an alliance in either Lok Sabha or Assembly elections.

The past, when it won the 2011 Assembly election in coalition with the Congress, is behind it.

Mamata Banerjee has also pointed out Congress's alleged failure to include the Trinamool Congress in the polls for Tripura and Assam.

As one state Opposition leader remarked, the Trinamool's "Ekla Chalo Re" (tread the path alone) is more than just a tribute to Rabindra Sangeet (songs of Rabindranath Tagore); it is a strategic stance for the upcoming elections.