Will Mamata Banerjee Lead INDIA Bloc? Bengal CM's Statement Leaves Opposition Divided
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has expressed her willingness to lead the Opposition 'INDIA' bloc. While some parties backed her, the Congress rooted for Rahul Gandhi to lead the Opposition alliance.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has created a loud buzz in the political circles with her statement on the Opposition INDIA bloc. In an interaction with a news channel, Mamata Banerjee said that she formed the "united" Opposition platform — Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance — and she was ready to lead it.
"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," she said.
Dismissing any national ambitions, she said: "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."
What Opposition Said About Mamata Banerjee's Claim
Her statement has left the Opposition divided, with some batting for her leadership, while others pitching in for their own parties. The largest Opposition party in Lok Sabha, the Congress, has said that Mamata Banerjee is a big leader but pitched for Rahul Gandhi as the alliance's leader. Congress leader Imran Masood told 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."
The Samajwadi Party, on the other hand, extended support to Mamata Banerjee's claim to lead the INDIA bloc. SP leader Udayveer Singh said, "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."
Lucknow: On West Bengal CM Mamata Banrejee's willingness to lead the INDI Alliance, SP leader Udayveer Singh says, "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… pic.twitter.com/w3Jxnqc3qi
— IANS (@ians_india) December 7, 2024
The Shiv Sena (UBT) did not dismiss her claim either. However, the party stopped short of accepting her leadership. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, " 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."
#WATCH | Delhi: On West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's reported statement 'willing to lead INDIA alliance', Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says, " She has put forward her statement. Because she has shown a successful model in West Bengal where she has kept BJP away from… pic.twitter.com/gc3Q6Ft6yD
— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2024
Notably, INDIA is a national coalition of Opposition parties and the regional commitments of all the constituents are different. Mamata had earlier clarified that she had formed the INDIA bloc and she would always be a part of it. She also said that TMC would not ally with the Congress and the Left in Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee clarifies her position, that
— Jawhar Sircar (@jawharsircar) May 16, 2024
— she founded the INDIA alliance and
— she will be always part of it.
No confusion at all !! @MamataOfficial @AITCofficial @derekobrienmp pic.twitter.com/Wo57pK2GEd
What BJP Said On Mamata Banerjee's Claim To Lead INDIA
The BJP took the opportunity to attack the Congress, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari said, "No leader of the INDI Alliance believes in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra. The INDI Alliance believes that Rahul Gandhi is a political failure... Sometimes Akhilesh Yadav says he is the leader; sometimes Mamata Banerjee says she is the leader, sometimes Stalin says he is the leader. But everyone is united in voicing that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra are not the leaders."
#WATCH | Delhi: On West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's reported statement 'willing to lead INDIA alliance', BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari says, "No leader of the INDI alliance believes in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra. The INDI alliance believes that Rahul Gandhi… pic.twitter.com/zP4kYFrtI2
— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2024
The BJP further said this development had made it clear that the Opposition was divided. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said, "This is a power struggle between people who do not match with each other. The alliance and Congress have completely succumbed under the weight of Rahul Gandhi. Congress and Rahul Gandhi are nothing more than a liability. The sole purpose of the INDI block is to ensure political placement and protect a corrupt clan."
#WATCH | Delhi | On West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's reported statement 'willing to lead INDIA alliance', BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh says, “This is a power struggle between people who do not match with each other. The alliance and Congress have completely… pic.twitter.com/djnWyVZJXp
— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2024
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