Mamata Banerjee Expresses Gratitude for Support, Focuses on Building Alternative to BJP
New Delhi, 11th December 2024: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee, responding to discussions about a potential shift in the leadership of the INDIA bloc, expressed her gratitude towards the opposition leaders who have supported her candidacy for the role. Speaking at an event in Purba Medinipur, she said, “I thank all the leaders who have honoured me. I wish them good health, and I hope they and their parties thrive. May India prosper.”
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh emphasized that Banerjee is focused on creating an alternative platform capable of defeating the BJP rather than seeking power in Delhi. “Mamata Banerjee has clearly stated that she is not interested in any position in Delhi. She aims to build an alternative that can challenge the BJP. In West Bengal, under her leadership, we have already defeated the BJP. Similarly, Hemant Soren’s leadership in Jharkhand led to BJP’s defeat,” Ghosh said.
He also critiqued Congress, suggesting that the party failed in states like Haryana and Maharashtra where it was expected to lead the charge against the BJP. “Senior leaders in the INDIA alliance are now suggesting Mamata Banerjee’s name as a potential face of the alliance. Congress needs to reflect on why it struggled in Haryana, Maharashtra, and the Lok Sabha elections,” Ghosh added.
Several parties within the INDIA bloc have voiced support for Mamata Banerjee, advocating for a leadership reshuffle. Banerjee had stated last week that she could manage both leading the opposition front and continuing as the West Bengal chief minister. Her remarks came amidst growing discontent within the alliance, especially following Congress’s electoral losses in Haryana, Jammu Kashmir, and Maharashtra.
In an interview, Banerjee expressed frustration with the current functioning of the INDIA bloc, signalling her interest in taking charge if given the opportunity. She promised to streamline the alliance’s operations.
On Tuesday, RJD leader Lalu Prasad offered his endorsement of Banerjee’s potential leadership, dismissing any concerns raised by Congress. The YSR Congress Party, although not a part of the INDIA bloc, also backed Banerjee, calling her the best choice to lead the coalition. YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy praised her leadership experience and ability to manage a large state.
Sharad Pawar had previously spoken highly of Banerjee’s political skills and the competence of her parliamentary representatives. Additionally, Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut have expressed openness to discussions about non-Congress leadership. Raut, while acknowledging Congress’s dominant role in the opposition, suggested that figures such as Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, Lalu Prasad, Sharad Pawar, and Akhilesh Yadav could all contribute to strengthening the alliance.
Currently, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge holds the leadership position of the opposition coalition.
