Banerjee announced this at a rally organised by Trinamool’s youth cell at Esplanade on Sunday. “When we were with the BJP (2006 Assembly elections), we had bagged 38 per cent votes. But at Balagarh (Assembly by-poll held on December 29 last year), where we fought independently, we got 40 per cent votes. This proves we do not need an alliance,” Banerjee said.

Taking a dig at the state Congress, Banerjee said, “Those who are saying our decision will lead to a division in the anti-Left votes, are living in a fool’s paradise. The parties who are hobnobbing with the CPM cannot be truly anti-Left. In no circumstances, the Trinamool Congress will side with any party which is close to the CPM.” The Trinamool leader added that only her party was able to fight the Marxists.

On Monday, a meeting of the Trinamool-led 17-party Progressive Democratic Secular Front (PDSF) will be held at Mahajati Sadan.

Meanwhile, reacting to Banerjee’s announcement, state BJP general secretary Rahul Sinha said, “Had there been an alliance between Trinamool and BJP at Balagarh, we would have easily won. She has failed to understand the political pulse and that is why the CPM is winning elections.”