Lalu Prasad Advocates for Mamata Banerjee to Lead the INDIA Bloc
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Patna, Dec 10 (NationPress) Following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's indication of her desire to steer the opposition coalition INDIA bloc, RJD's national president Lalu Prasad came forth with his backing for her leadership on Tuesday.
"The duty to lead the INDIA bloc ought to be entrusted to Mamata Banerjee. I am in agreement with this. It will not matter if the Congress raises objections. It should be handed over to Mamata Banerjee," Lalu Prasad stated while addressing the media in Patna.
Lalu's endorsement for the Chief Minister from West Bengal follows her expressed discontent with the current operations of the INDIA bloc just two days prior.
In an interview with a private news outlet on Friday (December 6), CM Banerjee mentioned that if required, she could assume a leading role in the collective leadership while operating from her home state.
"What can I do if they are unable to manage the initiative? I do not lead the coalition. Those in leadership roles there should reflect on this. Nevertheless, I am keeping my ties with both regional and national parties," she stated.
Regarding her position within the opposition coalition, CM Banerjee indicated that if given a chance, she would oversee the opposition bloc from West Bengal.
"There are some who struggle to accept me. If entrusted with the duty, although I do not seek it, I could manage it (the INDIA bloc) from West Bengal. However, I do not wish to distance myself from Bengal. I was born here and will remain here until the end," the Chief Minister remarked.
With Lalu's comments, concerns are emerging about the future trajectory of the Opposition coalition following a series of electoral defeats.
Mamata's aspirations alongside Lalu's backing indicate an increasing assertiveness among regional leaders, which may potentially diminish the Congress's central role.
Previously, senior leader of the Samajwadi Party, Ram Gopal Yadav, had remarked that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is not the leader of the INDIA bloc, pointing out that the party's underwhelming performance in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections could have prompted the Trinamool Congress leader to share her sentiments.
"In Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress holds power, they lost all four seats. Similarly, in Karnataka and Telangana, both governed by Congress, they lost half of their Lok Sabha seats. Moreover, Congress did not win any seats in Madhya Pradesh and faced significant losses in Chhattisgarh. If Congress had performed better in the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi would not have secured the Prime Ministership today.
