Sharad Pawar Backs Mamata Banerjee As INDIA Bloc Leader, UP Congress President Says ‘No One Else Can…’

NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar endorses Mamata Banerjee as a potential leader of the Opposition INDIA bloc due to her strong leadership and track record, while the Congress expressed reservations about the same.

File Photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Maharashtra CM Sharad Pawar

Source : Getty Images

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) Chief Sharad Pawar has expressed his support for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to lead the Opposition INDIA bloc, citing her capability and track record. Pawar’s remarks follow Mamata Banerjee’s recent assertion of her role in forming the alliance and her willingness to lead it.  

According to news agency ANI, Pawar stated, “Yes certainly (she is capable of leading the alliance), she is a prominent leader of this nation... she has that capability. The elected leaders she sent in the parliament are responsible, dutiful and well-aware people... therefore she has the right to say so.”  

Mamata Banerjee’s comments, made during an interaction with a news channel, have sparked debate within Opposition ranks. She claimed to have created the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and expressed readiness to lead it. She remarked, “I had formed the INDIA bloc, but they [Opposition parties] are not being able to hold it together. What can I do? I am not leading the front. The leaders of the front should see to it that everyone remains together... They don’t even see me. But I maintain the best of relations with all national and regional parties.”  

While dismissing personal ambitions to pursue a national role, Mamata affirmed her commitment to Bengal. “I love Bengal and don’t want to leave this land. I shall die here. Nothing can lure me away from here. I can run the alliance from Bengal,” she said.  

The Congress has downplayed Banerjee’s leadership claims, asserting its central role in the alliance. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai told ANI, “Nobody else can run the INDIA alliance the way the Congress has done. Certainly, the Congress has worked in the role of an elder brother and taking everyone along, and only the Congress will take (the INDIA alliance) forward.”  

#WATCH | Lucknow: On the statement of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress state president Ajay Rai says, "Nobody else can run the INDIA alliance the way the Congress has done. Certainly, the Congress has worked in the role of an elder brother and taking everyone… pic.twitter.com/TW3KLxCgLt

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2024

Earlier, Congress leader Imran Masood also supported Rahul Gandhi as the INDIA bloc’s leader, stating to ABP News, “We can’t say anything about a tall leader like Mamata Banerjee. But at this moment, there is no leader other than Rahul Gandhi who is fit to lead [the INDIA bloc]. There should not be any misconception about this.”  

INDIA Allies Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena UBT On Mamata Banerjee's Remarks Over INDIA Bloc Leader

The Samajwadi Party extended support to Banerjee, with leader Udayveer Singh stating, “Mamata Banerjee is a prominent leader, and her party has consistently opposed the Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP]. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Bengal played a crucial role alongside Uttar Pradesh, helping push the INDIA coalition forward and causing the BJP to fall behind. Therefore, our support for her remains steadfast. If there is consensus among all the constituents of INDIA, the Samajwadi Party will have no objections; we shall fully support her.”  

The Shiv Sena (UBT) adopted a more cautious tone. Party MP Priyanka Chaturvedi acknowledged Banerjee’s governance in Bengal but refrained from explicitly endorsing her leadership. “She has put forward her statement because she has developed a successful model in West Bengal and has kept the BJP away from power. She implemented good welfare schemes... She has election experience and an indomitable fighting spirit... Our senior leaders will together take a decision on the INDIA leadership at the next meeting,” she said.