Mamata Opens Up On PM Face For I.N.D.I.A Bloc, Alliance With Congress In Bengal
Speaking to reporters in the national capital, the Trinamool Congress leader said, "After elections, everybody will decide."
New Delhi: A day ahead of the I.N.D.IA bloc's scheduled meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the Prime Minister candidate of the opposition alliance will be decided after the 2024 general elections.
Speaking to reporters in the national capital, the Trinamool Congress leader said, "After elections, everybody will decide."
When asked what should be the role of Rahul Gandhi in the general elections, Banerjee said she cannot speak about alliance partners. "I cannot say anything about another political party," she said.
#WATCH | On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "It is after the election everyone will decide (PM candidate)."
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2023
When asked if Congress consulted her over Rahul Gandhi's role, she says, "...I cannot say about any other party..." pic.twitter.com/h1BIVi4T1G
When asked if she wants an alliance with Congress in West Bengal, she said, "Somebody must bell the cat...I don't have any problem if they have genuine things. But in West Bengal, they have only two seats. I am open to talk and discuss."
#WATCH | When asked if she wants an alliance with Congress in West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee says, "...Somebody must bell the cat...I don't have any problem if they have genuine things. But in West Bengal, they have only two seats. I am open to talk and discuss..." pic.twitter.com/dsUfKOmSym
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2023
She also reacted to the suspension of 46 opposition MPs in two days from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Winter Session.
A total of 46 Opposition MPs were suspended for the remaining part of the winter session for "misconduct" and not obeying the directions of the Chair.
Lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee said that the Centre is running a "mockery of democracy."
"It is not that collectively they have to suspend everybody...If they think that the House is supreme, why are they afraid? If they suspend all the members, how will they raise their voice? They are passing three important bills, even the law bills. It is a very important criminal law bill. We all said that letting a new government come as elections is left out for only three to four months. Why are they taking the decision right now? Even a new government can review all this. There is a system in democracy...Who will raise the voice for the people?" the West Bengal CM said.
#WATCH | On suspension of 33 Opposition MPs for the remainder of Winter Session today, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "...It is not that collectively they have to suspend everybody...If they think that the House is supreme why are afraid?... If they suspend all the members… pic.twitter.com/Pz8TRWI6Wc
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2023
She further asked who would raise the voice of the people and if they would suspend all opposition from the House.
"The voices of the people have been choked. Let them suspend the House first. They have no moral right to run this House to suspend the opposition fully...They will run a mockery, nothing else. It is a mockery of democracy," she said."
A total of 45 opposition MPs were suspended from Rajya Sabha, including 11 Rajya Sabha MPs who have been referred to the Privilege Committee, for the remainder of the Session.
This is in addition to 34 Opposition MPs, including Congress' Jairam Ramesh, K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, TMC's Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Santanu Sen and RJD's Manoj Kumar Jha.
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