. NEW DELHI: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Saturday categorically rejected speculation that it could merge with the Congress, with party national joint secretary Derek O’Brien describing such reports as “fake news”. He insisted that there was no basis to the claims that surfaced after the top leaders of the two parties met in New Delhi.”Let me put an end to this fake news about the AITC merging with any other party. Baseless. Yes, that’s the perfect word used by my friend KC Venugopal,” O’Brien said, seeking to draw a line under the speculation.The clarification comes amid heightened political chatter triggered by a series of interactions between senior Trinamool Congress and Congress leaders earlier this week, including meetings involving TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.The Congress has also firmly denied reports of a possible merger.On Thursday, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal dismissed the speculation, saying, “How can we answer for this rumour? These are totally rumours. Yesterday our communication secretary has already stated that. These are baseless things. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but it was a routine discussion as they (TMC) are an extension of INDIA alliance.”The recent engagements between the two parties were aimed at strengthening coordination within the opposition INDIA bloc rather than discussing any organisational integration, news agency PTI reported citing sources.On Wednesday, Abhishek Banerjee met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. Reports said that the meeting was part of ongoing consultations between the Congress and the TMC following talks held during the INDIA bloc meeting earlier in the week.A day earlier, Mamata Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi after attending the opposition alliance meeting in the national capital. While neither side officially disclosed details of the interaction, sources said the former West Bengal chief minister stressed the need for greater opposition unity and advocated collective action by INDIA bloc partners on public issues and against the BJP.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAssam Notifies New Excise Rules With Stricter Liquor Norms And Support For Indigenous BeveragesGovernment Appoints Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth As Next Army Chief, To Take Charge On June 30India, France Expected To Deepen Defence Cooperation With Focus On Submarines And Fighter JetsEl Nino Officially Sets In Over Pacific Ocean, IMD Warns Of Further Strengthening During MonsoonDRDO Conducts Three Successful Missile Tests, Strengthens India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Shield’Like My Son’: Kalyan Banerjee’s Surprise Remark On Abhishek Sparks Fresh BuzzOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young Woman123PhotostoriesCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for $1 a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMandi-Kullu trafficDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

. NEW DELHI: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Saturday categorically rejected speculation that it could merge with the Congress, with party national joint secretary Derek O’Brien describing such reports as “fake news”. He insisted that there was no basis to the claims that surfaced after the top leaders of the two parties met in New Delhi.”Let me put an end to this fake news about the AITC merging with any other party. Baseless. Yes, that’s the perfect word used by my friend KC Venugopal,” O’Brien said, seeking to draw a line under the speculation.The clarification comes amid heightened political chatter triggered by a series of interactions between senior Trinamool Congress and Congress leaders earlier this week, including meetings involving TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.The Congress has also firmly denied reports of a possible merger.On Thursday, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal dismissed the speculation, saying, “How can we answer for this rumour? These are totally rumours. Yesterday our communication secretary has already stated that. These are baseless things. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but it was a routine discussion as they (TMC) are an extension of INDIA alliance.”The recent engagements between the two parties were aimed at strengthening coordination within the opposition INDIA bloc rather than discussing any organisational integration, news agency PTI reported citing sources.On Wednesday, Abhishek Banerjee met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. Reports said that the meeting was part of ongoing consultations between the Congress and the TMC following talks held during the INDIA bloc meeting earlier in the week.A day earlier, Mamata Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi after attending the opposition alliance meeting in the national capital. While neither side officially disclosed details of the interaction, sources said the former West Bengal chief minister stressed the need for greater opposition unity and advocated collective action by INDIA bloc partners on public issues and against the BJP.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAssam Notifies New Excise Rules With Stricter Liquor Norms And Support For Indigenous BeveragesGovernment Appoints Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth As Next Army Chief, To Take Charge On June 30India, France Expected To Deepen Defence Cooperation With Focus On Submarines And Fighter JetsEl Nino Officially Sets In Over Pacific Ocean, IMD Warns Of Further Strengthening During MonsoonDRDO Conducts Three Successful Missile Tests, Strengthens India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Shield’Like My Son’: Kalyan Banerjee’s Surprise Remark On Abhishek Sparks Fresh BuzzOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young Woman123PhotostoriesCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for  a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMandi-Kullu trafficDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result


'Baseless': TMC shoots down Congress merger speculations, calls reports ‘fake news’

NEW DELHI: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Saturday categorically rejected speculation that it could merge with the Congress, with party national joint secretary Derek O’Brien describing such reports as “fake news”. He insisted that there was no basis to the claims that surfaced after the top leaders of the two parties met in New Delhi.“Let me put an end to this fake news about the AITC merging with any other party. Baseless. Yes, that’s the perfect word used by my friend KC Venugopal,” O’Brien said, seeking to draw a line under the speculation.The clarification comes amid heightened political chatter triggered by a series of interactions between senior Trinamool Congress and Congress leaders earlier this week, including meetings involving TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.The Congress has also firmly denied reports of a possible merger.On Thursday, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal dismissed the speculation, saying, “How can we answer for this rumour? These are totally rumours. Yesterday our communication secretary has already stated that. These are baseless things. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but it was a routine discussion as they (TMC) are an extension of INDIA alliance.”The recent engagements between the two parties were aimed at strengthening coordination within the opposition INDIA bloc rather than discussing any organisational integration, news agency PTI reported citing sources.On Wednesday, Abhishek Banerjee met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. Reports said that the meeting was part of ongoing consultations between the Congress and the TMC following talks held during the INDIA bloc meeting earlier in the week.A day earlier, Mamata Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi after attending the opposition alliance meeting in the national capital. While neither side officially disclosed details of the interaction, sources said the former West Bengal chief minister stressed the need for greater opposition unity and advocated collective action by INDIA bloc partners on public issues and against the BJP.



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