West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the INDIA bloc was waiting for the right time to make a move on government formation. She further claimed that the BJP-led NDA government won’t be able to run for long.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo was addressing a press conference at the end of a meeting she chaired with the party’s Lok Sabha candidates, district presidents and leaders.
In the meeting, she praised the 29 winning candidates of the TMC and encouraged others to continue fighting against the BJP. In the seats where the party lost, she asked district presidents and leaders find out the reasons for the defeat and start working to overturn the situation in 2026 assembly polls.
“We are watching and waiting for the right situation. Ultimately INDIA will form government but let them [NDA] try for some days. Let’s see how many MPs they can satisfy before the alliance breaks,” Banerjee told the press.
She further said that the NDA government might not last for even 15 days. “Just because INDIA hasn’t staked claim to form the government it doesn’t mean we never will. We are waiting for the right time.”
Banerjee said results of the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP emerged as the single-largest party but failed to win majority on its own, reflects the country’s mood for a change.
“The country needs a change. No one wants Modi. After such a big defeat, Modi ji should have left it to someone else to run the government,” she said.
Mamata Banerjee also attacked the BJP over rumours that the saffron party was trying to poach MPs to strengthen NDA’s number in the Parliament. She said that the BJP should first try to keep its own house in order.
“I will ask everyone to keep your party intact. Again, the [Bharatiya Janta] Party is trying to break other parties. If it goes on like this, the BJP will be broken from inside. It’s clear that everyone is not happy in your party [the BJP].”
The TMC chief alleged that the election commission, in cahoots with the BJP, deliberately ensured the defeat of several TMC candidates. “Our number could have gone up to 35,” she said.
Meanwhile, she also pointed out that West Bengal will continue demanding that the Centre pay its due to the state. The chief minister said if the need be her party will bring a stronger movement to recover the state’s dues.
