As discussions heat up within the India bloc over leadership, Congress has made it clear that it will not support Mamata Banerjee as the head of the Opposition alliance.
By PC Bureau
As calls grow within the India bloc to appoint West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee as the head of the Opposition alliance, the Congress remains unmoved and has no intention of handing over the reins to “Didi.”
A senior Congress leader emphasized that the party would not compromise on its commitment to exposing the alleged nexus between Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and was prepared to go solo if necessary.
“We know who is trying to create divisions within the opposition ranks, but we will stick to our vision,” the leader said, without elaborating further. “ we’re natural leader of the alliance given the fact that we have 100 MLs in Lok SAabha and only pan-India party.: he said.
The leader pointed out that while parties like the Samajwadi Party and RJD might support Mamata, but they would only do so if Congress leadership were willing to accept a change of leadership. “Remember, RJD needs Congress, not TMC, to consolidate minority votes ahead of the Bihar elections. Similarly, can Akhilesh Yadav win in Uttar Pradesh without Congress support in the next assembly polls?
The leader was confident that the DMK would never support Mamata as the leader of the alliance, given that she has little influence outside of West Bengal. “Mamata wouldn’t be able to influence even one vote in Tamil Nadu, and beyond West Bengal, she is not seen as a vote-catcher anywhere,” a source said.
The political battles in India over the next few years will likely revolve around Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has already stated his intention to contest the elections alone. Similarly, in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to ally with Congress or the Left, other than offering them scraps, which they are bound to reject.
“Only a pan-India party like Congress can provide leadership to the India bloc,” said the leader. “We don’t foresee any change in the leadership of the Opposition alliance, although we acknowledge the possibility of a permanent secretariat in Delhi and delegating responsibilities among senior leaders from other parties.”
The leader also emphasized that the Adani issue is damaging the NDA’s image, which is why the BJP is raising frivolous issues and even attacking the U.S. “By raising the issue of leadership change in the India bloc at this stage, we would only be aiding the BJP and creating the perception that some of our own are helping Adani,” the leader concluded.
