During her latest visit to Delhi, Banerjee had met Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Officially, it was described as a discussion over the Singur issue, but sources in the Pradesh Congress and the Trinamool said both parties are likely to forge an electoral alliance and a seat-sharing agreement in Bengal.

When asked about frequent meetings of Banerjee with Congress leaders like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, Dinesh Dwivedi, a senior TMC leader based in Delhi, said: “Till now, our policy has been to maintain equal distance with the Congress and the BJP. But the reason that we opposed the Congress was because they had an alliance with the CPM.” He added, “That hurdle (CPM) is not there now. It seems that the Congress understood the real face of the CPM.”

Dwivedi, a Rajya Sabha member, said: “Banerjee’s Delhi visit also aimed at dispelling the anti-industry image of the party, as well as underlining the fact that Ratan Tata had become the mouth piece of the CPM.”

Trinamool sources said Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh is playing a key role in bringing the two parties together. He visited the state a number of times recently and even shared the dais with Mamata Banerjee during her Singur protest. Senior Trinamool leaders said an electoral alliance with the Congress was a logical conclusion considering the recent developments. “The CPM and the Congress have split. Though nothing has been finalised now, we can certainly move ahead with the Congress,” said a party leader.

The two sides are working on several equations. Considering the better position of the Congress in Malda, Murshidabad and districts like North and South Dinajpur, the Trinamool is willing to adjust seats in these areas. The two parties are focusing on seat adjustment rather than a merger. The only mantra is to ensure a one-to-one contest with the Left candidates. 

The Trinamool is also banking on the Muslim population, who had voted for the party in the last panchayat polls.  “A considerable section of the Muslims is with us, be it because of the land for industry issues or Rizwanur Rehman’s case. If we now opt for the BJP, they will not remain with us. Therefore, secular Congress is a better choice,” said a senior party leader.

Trinamool leaders said unlike the panchayat polls, division of votes will emerge as an important factor in the LS elections. “We do not want anti-Left votes to be divided in the state. Even though our popularity is growing in rural Bengal, the division of vote is a critical issue we may face this time,” said a leader. Lower-ranking workers of the party have already asked Banerjee to go for a tie-up with the Congress at the grassroot level.