Following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s declaration that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will contest the 2026 state assembly elections independently, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut remarked that she has historically fought elections on her own, whether at the Lok Sabha or state level.

Speaking at a press conference in the national capital, Raut acknowledged Banerjee’s decision to part ways with the INDIA bloc in West Bengal but emphasised that she should maintain dialogue with the Congress, given its significance within the alliance.