Himanta Biswa Sarma Warns Mamata Banerjee Against Leading INDIA Bloc, Calls It “Dead”
New Delhi, 13th December 2024: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday warned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against assuming leadership of the INDIA bloc, calling it a “dead” alliance with no prospects for revival. Sarma questioned why Banerjee would want to take charge of the opposition bloc when she should focus on the upcoming 2026 assembly elections in Bengal. “You (Mamata Banerjee) are a chief minister with responsibilities in Bengal and elections ahead. Why take on the leadership of a defunct alliance that won’t revive?” he remarked.
Haryana Minister Anil Vij also joined the criticism, claiming that Rahul Gandhi’s leadership had failed and that any efforts to replace the “engine” of the alliance would be fruitless. “From day one, we’ve said ‘Pappu has failed.’ Now even his allies admit it. No one can drive their (INDIA Bloc) car. Changing the engine won’t help,” said Vij.
These remarks came after Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to lead the INDIA bloc if necessary. Last week, she stated that she could manage both the role of leading the opposition alliance and serving as the chief minister of West Bengal.
Banerjee’s comments gained support from within her party, the TMC, as well as leaders within the INDIA bloc. On Tuesday, RJD leader Lalu Prasad backed her potential leadership, dismissing Congress concerns as “insignificant.” Sharad Pawar had previously praised her leadership skills, and Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also suggested exploring non-Congress leadership. While acknowledging Congress’s position as the largest opposition party, Raut proposed other leaders such as Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, Lalu Prasad, Sharad Pawar, and Akhilesh Yadav as viable candidates to strengthen the alliance.
The YSR Congress Party, not currently part of the INDIA bloc, also voiced support for Banerjee. YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy called her the most “suitable” leader, citing her experience in governing a major state.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Congress accused Mamata Banerjee of aligning with the BJP. “Any alliance partner may aspire to lead the INDIA bloc, but Mamata Banerjee’s actions have often benefited the BJP and disrupted efforts to unite the opposition when the BJP is under pressure,” West Bengal Congress leader Sarkar wrote on X.
Though TMC supported a move to oust Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chair M. Venkaiah Naidu, it distanced itself from the week-long protests outside Parliament over the Adani issue, arguing that the focus should be on other matters. After disruptions in Parliament on Wednesday, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee criticized both the BJP and Congress, stating, “Parliamentary democracy shouldn’t depend on Congress and BJP. The House adjourns at their discretion. Other parties cannot speak, and the BJP, as the ruling party, and Congress, as the main opposition, get preference. We can’t even raise issues concerning our states.”
