Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee urges opposition parties in West Bengal to unite in a “joint platform” to oppose the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has come to power in the state following recent assembly elections. Speaking at an event at her Kalighat residence on Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary, Banerjee calls on opposition forces to come together across ideological lines, including Left parties and ultra-Left groups, and says national parties should also join. She also asks student unions opposed to the BJP and non-governmental organisations to unite in the effort. Banerjee says she is willing to engage in dialogue with any political party that wants to discuss forming such a platform. She frames the initiative around the view that the BJP is the primary opponent, adding that it is not a time to treat the “enemy’s enemy” as a friend. The report also mentions Banerjee’s claim that atrocities are being committed against TMC workers, as part of her case for coordinated opposition.