KOLKATA: The INDIA Front, formed by the parties in the opposition alliance to target the Lok Sabha elections against the BJP, continues to be divided. After Mamata Banerjee announced that the Trinamool Congress would contest alone in Bengal, the Aam Aadmi Party also came forward with a similar stance. The Aam Aadmi Party has announced that it will contest all the Lok Sabha seats in Punjab alone. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced that the first list of 40 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections has been prepared. Aam Aadmi's announcement came out after Mamata said that there is no alliance with the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections.

Mamata Banerjee said earlier "I have no relation with the Congress. We will contest alone in Bengal. Only after the election results will we consider whether to join the INDIA alliance." Mamata clarified her position after Rahul Gandhi said at the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra yesterday that the seat discussion is being held with the Trinamool Congress.

Mamata had said that she was ready for an alliance with the Congress and the CPM in Bengal, but both parties had not taken a favourable stand. It is also noteworthy that Mamata's stance came when Rahul's yatra was about to enter Bengal. In the meeting with the TMC leaders, Mamata had made it clear that they should prepare to contest alone. Mamata Banerjee had said that they have not received an invitation to participate in the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Trinamool Congress is part of the India alliance.