In response to reports that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was “willing to lead the INDIA alliance,” Supriya Sule, an MP for the NCP (SP), stated that they would be pleased if the leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) assumed greater responsibilities within the opposition alliance. Speaking to the news agency, Ms Sule stated that the West Bengal Chief Minister is an integral part of the INDIA bloc. “Mamata Banerjee is absolutely an integral part of the INDIA alliance. In a vibrant democracy, the opposition has a big role and responsibility, so if she wants to take more responsibility, we will be very happy,” she told.
Priyanka Chaturvedi, an MP for the Shiv Sena (UBT), added that Ms. Banerjee had demonstrated a successful model in West Bengal by preventing the BJP from gaining power. “She has put forward her statement. Because she has shown a successful model in West Bengal where she has kept the BJP away from power and implemented good welfare schemes… Her election experience and fighting spirit, accordingly she has shared her interest. Whenever the INDIA bloc meeting takes place, our senior leaders will together take a decision,” Ms Chaturvedi said.
Party MP Kirti Azad responded earlier this week to a question about TMC leaders’ suggestion that Mamata Banerjee should be appointed the leader of the INDIA bloc, only days after the Congress party suffered a humiliating setback in the Maharashtra assembly elections, by saying that the TMC chief brings everyone along. “Mamata Banerjee has a 100 percent record. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a humiliating defeat, it was only in West Bengal… Whenever he comes to insult Bengal and its honour, her vote share increases,” he said. He further said that Mamata Banerjee is known for her articulate views. “She is a very senior leader. She speaks clearly.”
Additionally, he stated that Ms. Banerjee is well-known throughout the nation. “She (Mamata Banerjee) resides in every household in West Bengal, in every household in the country… Mamata Banerjee is someone who takes everyone together. She calls people only after making preparations and taking her time,” he said.
After the Congress lost the Haryana and Maharashtra assembly elections last month, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said that the INDIA alliance required a single strong leader. He added that in order to defeat the BJP, the opposition alliance needs to be more powerful. “The Congress has failed to achieve the desired result either in Haryana or in Maharashtra. We had tremendous hope from the Congress that they would do better. The INDIA alliance is there, but the expected result could not be achieved. And there is a great failure on the part of the Congress to achieve the result… Today it is necessary; if you want to fight against the BJP, the INDIA alliance should be stronger. And to make it stronger, one leader is required. Now who can be the leader? That’s the core question. Congress has done it. All experiments have been done, but they have failed…” Mr Banerjee had said.
