# Mamata Banerjee calls CPI(M)’s MA Baby to plan joint EC protest

2026-09-26T08:51:20+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee telephoned CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Friday in response to his letter to non-NDA parties seeking an early meeting to discuss concerns over the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Deccan Herald reports the call was 'unprecedented' given the long-standing rivalry between the TMC and the CPI(M) in Bengal. Times Now adds that Banerjee also spoke to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and pushed for an INDIA bloc meeting early next week. The outreach is part of a broader Left party effort to build the 'largest possible Opposition alliance' against the NDA on this issue, Baby told The Federal. He stressed the cooperation is currently issue-based and it is too early to say whether it will lead to any broader political understanding. The Left parties have written to all non-NDA parties, including those outside the INDIA bloc such as BJD and TVK. Protests are planned from September 28.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The coverage converges on the fact of the call but diverges sharply on framing. Times Now leads with the drama of former foes turning friends, sensationalising a political development that The Federal and Deccan Herald treat as straight news. The Federal gives space to Baby's careful caveat that the outreach is issue-based, not a realignment, a nuance Times Now omits. The consensus fact is that Banerjee responded positively to Baby's letter. The next test is the September 28 protests and whether the INDIA bloc meeting Banerjee pushed for materialises.

## Coverage

- deccanherald.com (neutral report) <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/cec-row-unprecedented-one-to-one-call-between-mamata-banerjee-and-ma-baby-india-yet-to-publicise-joint-action-4160474>
  Leads with the call being unprecedented, straight factual reporting
- timesnownews.com (sensationalist) <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/former-foes-turn-friends-mamata-banerjee-dials-up-cpim-ma-baby-plans-joint-action-against-cec-gyanesh-kumar-article-156227686>
  Leads with 'Former Foes Turn Friends?' framing drama over substance
- thefederal.com (neutral report) <https://thefederal.com/category/states/south/keralam/ec-sir-ma-baby-mamata-india-bloc-gyanesh-kumar-257767>
  Leads with Baby's quote and issue-based nature of outreach

Tags: CPI(M), Election Commission, Gyanesh Kumar, MA Baby, Mamata Banerjee, TMC
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